Lots of stuff was taken from Egypt, and from Israel, by various powers. Much was taken by Western conquerors, by Babylonian conquerors, by Assyrian conquerors, by Roman conquerors, by Muslim conquerors... . The Jews of Israel were themselves taken by force from Israel, a theft that has had 2 milennia of consequences. I agree strongly that the Copts have a right to protest. And Mr. Hawass should talk to them. After all, they are the TRUE descendants of the ancient Egyptians; remember that heiroglyphics are an alphabet for a Coptic language. The Copts were overrun, subjugated and oppressed by Arab Muslim conquerors. King Tut certainly didn't speak Arabic. ;-) I agree with Ray that it's hypocritical for the Egyptian government to shout and threaten about the rights of dead kings while imposing grinding oppression on their descendants.

perhaps Mr. Hawass should address the files and findings I presented to the egyptian embassy during the tenure of Dr. Al Machat at the end of the 1990s that were sent over to the Cairo Museum to Mr. Hawass in the diplomatic pouch every Thursday that I now consider stolen from me and have been used to locate items from the egyptian past that Mr. Hawass has taken credit for... Perhaps Mr.Hawass should admit that there are no more 'egyptians' in egypt after the persian and greek invaders and that his is an arab request for antiquities to be returned to egypt that do not belong him. Attacking Mr. Rowe is ill directed, which kettle is blacker Mr. Hawass.....

Until some Islamic nut decides that the ancient dead religion is a threat and decides to destroy these priceless artiffacts like the Taliban did to the ancient statues in their country.

We would like to invite you to visit Cairo and see the Democracy for yourself. We have a special place where you can stay. The Habis Hotel. Very secure. You get lots of attention. Nothing can beat it, although we won't say the same for you. Salam alaikum!

Hanania is losing it. Although, being "Palestinian", it is easy to understand since he has been raised in a "culture" of hatred and intolerance. It is so much easier to blame someone else for one's own shortcomings and self-humiliation.

I'm sorry, but I only come here to read Ron and his twin brother Mohammed Rabinovitch.

Lavin is losing it, again. Although, being "anti-Palestinian", it is easy to understand since he has been raised in a "culture" of hatred and intolerance. It is so much easier to blame someone instead of ourselves else for one's own shortcomings and self-humiliation. "Dividng Jerusalem won't bring peace" -- Hamas "Jerusalem is already divided between Jews and non-Jews (those few allowed to enter Jerusalem)" Yo baby!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4751319.stm

I enjoyed the article by Mr. Hanania to the point of having a smile on my face when I completed reading. I wonder, though will the 21st century be known as the century when the wrongs of the conquering countries of yore be righted for once and for all? Will Rome FINALLY give back to Israel the booty that her conquering heroes had taken when ransacking Jerusalem? Will the Catholic Church give up all of it's collectables which over the centuries belonged to indigineous peoples around the globe and were confiscated all in the name of the Church? Will the lords of former colonies throughout the world, hand back items of antiquity to the rightful heirs? After all, whatever the "motherland" colonized, there went the spoils. How many buddhist, hindu, etc. treasures were taken by G-dfearing people to be kept for "safekeeping" away from Pagan hands? if that is to be, how many Museums around the world, from New York to London, to Paris, to Germany, to Russia...(the list is endless) would have huge gaps in their exhibits? Such a two-way street. But one which I am willing to sit back and watch. But one thing should be brought out. In the early part of the last century, ancient mummies use to be burned to be used for fuel (heat). An old Lowell Thomas (a famous traveler/historian/newsman from the 30s until his death in the 70s) newsreel (Fox Movietone) would comment on how Egyptians were using mummies and other artifacts for heat by burning them. Perhaps the colonizing governments deemed it better to have the antiquities elsewhere to save them for prosperity. Enjoy! Shalom