Mostafa Kamel (1874-1908) is widely regarded as one of great Egyptian national leaders. The eloquent speaker and writer spent his short life exhorting the Egyptian nation to rise against the British occupation. He launched his national campaign overseas and held conferences to draw the attention of world nations to the sufferings of the Egyptian people under the British occupation. He also published “Al-Liwaa” (the Herald) newspaper.
The museum is opened at the Memorial of the two national leaders Mostafa Kamel and Mohammed Farid in Qalaa (citadel) district in Cairo. The idea was first submitted in 1955 by the Minister of Culture at the time Fathi Radwan (who is buried in the Memorial) to establish a museum, which could shed much light on the life and the national struggle led by Mostafa Kamel. The building bears the hallmarks of Islamic architecture. A giant brass chandelier hangs from the ceiling. The walls are internally lined with marble. The museum is also surrounded by a big garden. The museum was opened officially in April 1956. Its 253 exhibits include books and letters written by Mostafa Kamal; and photographs of his relatives and friends. The museum also displays Kamel’s suits, cutlery in his kitchen, his study room and a number of books authored by historian Abdel-Rahman al-Rafie, who is also buried in the Memorial.
The museum was re-opened on February 8, 2001.