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Saleh Mutlu Sen, Türkiye’s ambassador to Egypt, visited the grave of Ali Sherif Pasha in Cairo on Sunday, an act that cast renewed light on one of the prominent figures in Egypt’s Khedival era and on the deep historical ties between Egypt and Türkiye.
Ali Sherif Pasha was the brother of Khalil Sherif Pasha, a former foreign minister from 1872 to 1873, and the husband of Princess Nazli, the daughter of Mustafa Fadel Pasha, who served as president of Egypt’s General Council.
Referencing these familial and political ties underscores the family’s standing within elite circles that played prominent roles in politics and administration in the second half of the 19th century.
Ali Pasha Sherif’s grave is located next to the Hawsh of Abbas Pasha Yakan on Al Sadat Street in Al Bakriyah, within the Imam Al Shafii cemetery in Cairo.
According to the historical narrative associated with the figure, Ali Sherif Pasha held an official position in Khedival Egypt, but he also became known along a parallel track as one of the foremost breeders of purebred Arabian horses in the late 19th century. Some writings describe him as a “major collector” of the era’s horses, noting that he made extensive purchases and rebuilt his stock to reach about 400 head.
During the visit, the Turkish ambassador expressed his appreciation for the tomb’s historical and aesthetic value, pointing to its distinctive architectural style and noting that it contains the remains of Ali Sherif Pasha as well as several members of his family.
He also underscored the depth of the historical ties between Egypt and Türkiye, arguing that such symbolic sites reflect the interwoven social and political trajectories of the two countries.
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