May Al-Ibrashy discussed her work in architectural conservation and community-driven heritage management in historic Cairo through the Athar Lina initiative. She highlighted projects like the Imam Shafi'i dome, where preservation efforts led to new communal rituals, and water-harvesting systems that repurpose leaked groundwater for urban greening. In Hataba, she collaborates with local women to document histories through textile art, countering narratives that threaten their community. Amid rapid urbanization, Al-Ibrashy sees heritage as a tool for cultural identity and resilience, emphasizing that conservation is not just about preserving buildings but sustaining living histories.
“Beyond preserving buildings, we are preserving the spirit of place — something that has been in the making for centuries and manifests in ways we never expect.”
— May Al-Ibrashy
