2024 - Wooden Artefacts of Historic Cairo Portal (WAHCP), by the NADIM Foundation

The NADIM Foundation, under the leadership of Hend Mostafa, is developing the first comprehensive online portal dedicated to the rich wooden heritage of Historic Cairo. The Wooden Artefacts of Historic Cairo Portal (W.A.H.C.P.) will make this endangered cultural legacy accessible to scholars, conservators, and the general public in both Arabic and English.

Historic Cairo’s woodwork—found in doors, minbars, mashrabiyyas, and other architectural elements—represents centuries of craftsmanship, yet documentation has often been piecemeal. This interactive platform will host a searchable artefact database, high-quality images, 3D models, archival records, craft narratives, and a bilingual audio-visual glossary. It will also offer contextual information on materials, techniques, and the broader artistic networks that shaped Cairo’s unique woodcraft tradition.

Importantly, the portal will also capture the oral histories and practices of contemporary craftspeople, preserving intangible heritage alongside artefacts. The W.A.H.C.P. builds on NADIM Foundation’s pioneering work in preserving and promoting Egyptian woodwork, notably through its earlier Guide to the Wooden Artefacts of Historic Cairo.

Founded by Hend Mostafa, NADIM Foundation has been at the forefront of conservation, research, and education on Egyptian craftsmanship for decades. With Barakat Trust support, this digital platform will provide an essential resource for heritage professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.