Hawass has ulterior nationalistic/political reasons for his comments, however, why has NYC let an ancient monument of much historic value deteriorate to such a state? Hawass can go take a hike and has no rights here in America to do diddly squat, however, he has at least brought to our attention something that should be rectified, cleaning up and repairing the obelisk to good order. Maintaining the obelisk is not mutually exclusive w/telling this jerk to buzz off. And to those of you who have no sense of history and don’t give a fig about this obelisk w/its heiroglyphics from ancient times, then I guess you don’t give a fig about the history and maintenance of our original Constitution. History is very, very important and should not be denigrated.
Removal of Cleopatra's Needle in Egypt
Cleopatra's Needle in Central Park in 1881
IN a sense you are right. The obelisk is considered blasphemous by Muslims—but Hawass is claiming his patrimony and he has the superior argument. The muslim Emir who gave it away deserves the blame, and the stupid immoral Americans who wanted it do too. Return it.
I won’t be suprised if at some point in the future Muslims desecrate it if it goes back.