Background

MACIC was inaugurated on 14^th January 1992, by Mr. Madhav Singh Solanki, the then Foreign Minister of India, in the presence of Mr. Farouk Hosny, the Minister of Culture of Egypt and Mr. Amr Moussa, then Foreign Minister of Egypt. It was named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), a distinguished scholar, educationist and statesman, who was the first Education Minister of India and the founding President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Maulana Azad laid the basis for independent India’s educational and cultural policies and contributed significantly to the scientific and cultural methods of inquiry. He made significant contributions to Islamic studies and wrote a brilliant commentary of the Quran “Tarjuman Al-Quran”. Maulana Azad had a special interest in cultural exchanges with other civilisations and nations. He founded the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and encouraged cultural cooperation between Asia and Africa. He visited Egypt and had special affinity for Egypt’s great civilization.

MACIC is one of the India Cultural Centres under Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) which was established as the Cultural arm of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. ICCR was formally inaugurated in April 1950 with the primary objective of establishing, reviving and strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries.

The cultural exchanges between the two great civilizations of India and Egypt have existed since the Pharaonic times. The first cultural Agreement between the two nations was signed in 1958 which envisaged establishing cultural institutes in each other’s territory. With the setting up of the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) as a cultural wing under the Embassy of India at Cairo, the spirit of that cultural exchange has seen an institutional embodiment. Two important aspects were considered for opening an Indian Cultural Centre in Egypt: 1) Cairo’s great importance as an intellectual and cultural center of the Arab World and Africa. 2) Long and rich history of cultural exchange between the two civilizations.

Overview of activities

MACIC conducts regular academic programmes and sessions in Hindi & Urdu languages, Kathak dance, and Yoga in addition to academic seminars, film shows, exhibitions on Indian art & culture, special Yoga workshops, caricature activities, sports tournaments, World Hindi Day and cultural festivals/fairs from time to time. The MACIC round-tables and seminar series involve youth, academia, culture lovers and the civil society in stimulating discussions on issues of mutual interest and sharing of experiences. As part of its outreach activities, MACIC also organizes India Day events in different governorates and Universities.

Cultural Exchange

A 9-member Light Music group “Roohani Sisters” led by Jagriti Luthra visited Egypt from 15-20 January 2026. The soulful Roohani Sisters mesmerized audiences in Cairo at Bharat Milan: Community Cultural festival at Orabi Club, Obour City on January 16, 2026 with their Sufi and Bollywood songs. A magical evening full of music and devotion that left everyone enchanted, at Port Said Cultural Palace on January 17,  2026 came alive with the mesmerizing Sufi and Bollywood melodies of the Roohani Sisters and at Alexandria Sayed Darwish Theater on January 18, 2026 their vibrant performances left the audience spellbound.

A 10-member cultural troupe visited Egypt from 29 January to 11 February 2026 to participate in Aswan International Festival for Art and Culture, Aswan, Egypt. Bollywood style Kathak Group led by Sandeep Mahavir Kathak was sponsored by ICCR. The troupe performed a pre-inauguration performance on February 01 were more than 200 persons attend the event, the troupe also performed a pre-inauguration performance on February 03, were more than 500 persons attend the event, on February 04, in the opening ceremony were more than 7500 persons attend the event, on February 05, at Fakhruddin Cultural Palace were more than 3000 persons attend the event, on February 06, at Al Dur Youth Centre were more than 450 persons attend the event and on February 07, at Al Sebaiya Cultural Palace were more than 5000 persons attend the event, on February 08, at Mahatta Square were more than 4500 persons attend the event, on February 09, 2026 in the closing ceremony were more than 7850 persons attend the event.

Academic exchange

As far as the academic arena is concerned, a number of Egyptian students have benefited from ICCR and other scholarship schemes to study in India. Under Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme, many Egyptian students enroll for the every academic year for studying in Under-graduate, Post-graduate and PhD courses in various Indian Universities/Institutes.

An MoU for first ICCR Chair was signed with the Ain Shams University in March 2016 and accordingly, the Indian Chair on Bio-informatics was established from September 2016 until 2018.

Yoga

MACIC offers regular Yoga classes from beginners to advanced levels. Apart from regular Yoga classes, special Yoga sessions for managing specific health issues are also held at MACIC from time to time under the supervision of a qualified Yoga teacher from India. MACIC also organizes special Yoga sessions at various other places such as sports clubs, libraries, museums, schools, parks etc.

The 12^th edition of the International Day of Yoga organized by the Maulana Azad Center for Indian Culture, Embassy of India, Cairo on 21 June 2026 at the iconic great pyramids of Giza with many Yoga lovers from all over the world. This year’s celebration was marked by a series of curtain raiser Yoga events across Egypt, including in  Ismailia, and the majestic Qaitbay, witnessing the quietude of yoga and the joy of India culture embracing the azure of Mediterranean! Alexandria.  The Yoga events were attended by thousands of Egyptian Yoga enthusiasts and friends of India. As a lead-up to the 12^th IDY, the Mission organized “Yoga Marathons” in iconic location, on the Nile Mamshah, Zamalek in Cairo, on 12 June 2026. In a remarkable continuation of our cultural outreach and based on the overwhelming enthusiasm from previous years, the Mission once again organized a unique “Yoga Photo Competition” Contest that invited young Egyptians to blend their “Photo of Doing Yoga” with the timeless beauty of their own historical landmarks. 

Glimpses of India” Painting Competition

One of the flagship events of MACIC, “Glimpses of India” painting competition is the annual painting competition organized in association with the Ministry of Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The first edition of the competition was held in 1994 with the main objective to inculcate interest in India and Indian culture among successive generations of youth in Egypt and thereby promote stronger people to people ties.  The 29th edition of the “Glimpses of India” painting competition was organized from 02-24 November 2025 for Egyptian school children of 22 Governorates of Egypt including Cairo, Giza, Qalioubiya, Gharbiya, Sharqiya, Red Sea, Alexandria, Menoufiya, Bani Suef, Fayoum, Kafr Elsheikh, Beheira, Port Saed, Ismailia, Aswan, Luxor and Mynia  The painting competition was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Approximately 29,134 Egyptian school children from 3372 schools participated with great enthusiasm, creating amazing paintings on wide array of themes centered around India and its art and cultural heritage.

Library

MACIC hosts an extensive library with over 6500 books on wide range of subjects such as history, politics, philosophy, international relations, and economics. This library serves as a vital resource for many Egyptian students, offering them a gateway to understanding history, geography, polity, art and culture of India.

Africa Regional Hindi Conference

The Africa Regional Hindi Conference was organized in Cairo on 8-9 February 2026 by the Embassy of India in Cairo, in collaboration with Ain Shams University. The conference aimed to strengthen cultural, academic, and linguistic ties between India, Africa, and the Arab world through the promotion of the Hindi language. The two-day event brought together over hundreds eminent Hindi scholars, professors, academicians, writers, educators, and Hindi enthusiasts from Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, and Namibia, along with faculty members from Ain Shams University, Cairo University, and Al Azhar University. In January 2026, the Mission organized the Bharat Milan & Kite Festival, showcasing the diverse cultural heritage of the country and this attended by MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh and the Roohani Sisters.

ICCR Foundation Day

MACIC celebrates the Foundation Day of ICCR every year by highlighting the important role being played by ICCR in strengthening cultural connectivity between India and Egypt. The prominent ICCR Alumni are invited to attend celebrations. The 77th Foundation Day of ICCR was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Cairo on April 9, 2026 with great enthusiasm and participation. The event brought together over 140 guests, underscoring the enduring cultural friendship and people-to-people ties between India and Egypt. The celebration highlighted the shared appreciation for arts, education, and cultural exchange that has long defined the relationship between the two countries.

Caricature on Yoga Exhibition

MACIC hosted a vibrant “Caricature on Yoga” exhibition celebrating the 12^th International Day of Yoga, where yoga met with art and imagination at India House, Zamalek on June 11, 2026. Organized in collaboration with Fayoum Art Center and Egypt Cartoon, the competition received an enthusiastic response, with 211 entries from 33 countries. Artists interpreted yoga through the lens of caricature - blending balance with humor, mindfulness with creativity, and tradition with contemporary expression. Winners were felicitated during the event, marking a joyful celebration of yoga’s universal appeal.

World Hindi Day

MACIC celebrates World Hindi Day every year to promote Hindi language in Egypt. In 2025, a number of events and activities are undertaken to promote Hindi and to celebrate its rich cultural heritage. MACIC organizes various competitions in different categories (Hindi Hand Writing, Hindi Extempore Speaking, Hindi Picture Writing, Hindi Essay Writing & Hindi Group Quiz) and honors winners with prizes and certificates at award ceremony.

Other Outreach Events

10^th Ayurveda Day was celebrated at Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture on 23 September 2025 with great enthusiasm.  An exhibition on Ayurveda was organized showcasing Ayurvedic herbs and its benefits in addition to video presentation and Yoga demonstration, aiming to raise awareness about the holistic approach of Ayurveda to health and wellness. A virtual session was also organized, led by renowned Ayurveda experts from India, Dr. Preeti Chhabra and Dr. Rinky Thakur. They delivered presentations on the therapeutic aspects and treatment modalities of Ayurveda, while underlining its significance for human health and the environment. A special session on Panchakarma therapy was also presented highlighting preventive and curative benefits of Ayurveda.

An Indian Cultural Festival was organized at Soho Square, Sharm El Sheikh, on September 01, 2025 in collaboration with the Governorate of South Sinai and the Savoy Group, featuring traditional crafts, Indian cuisine, and film screenings. The Mission also organized an

Indian Food Festival at Dusit Thani LakeView Hotel, Cairo, from 7–15 August 2025, showcasing India’s diverse culinary heritage.

In August 2025, the Mission, in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, hosted the Indian Film Festival at the historic Henager Cinema in Cairo, featuring acclaimed films such as English Vinglish, Goodbye, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and RRR. The Embassy also set up an India stall at El-Gouna International Film Festival in October 2025.

The strong ties between India and Egypt are evident from the affection towards India amongst the Egyptian population. Three streets in Cairo are named after Indian leaders namely, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Zakir Hussein. There are two busts of Mahatma Gandhi – one in Cairo at the Supreme Council of Culture and the other one in Alexandria at the Bibliotheca, Alexandria. On the other hand, Gamal Abdul Nasser Marg in Delhi is named after the late President of Egypt.