The authority’s head Mustafa Amin said Friday that the pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops, would be closed to visitors until Saturday morning for “necessary maintenance.”
The closure follows a string of unconfirmed reports in local media that unidentified groups would try to hold “Jewish” or “Masonic” rites on the site to take advantage of mysterious powers coming from the pyramid on the rare date.
Amin called all reports of planned ceremonies at the site “completely lacking in truth.”
The complex’s director, Ali Al-Asfar, said Friday that an Egyptian company requested permission last month to hold an event called “hug the pyramid,” in which 120 people would join hands around the ancient burial structure.
The authority declined the request a week ago, Al-Asfar said, but that did not stop concerned Egyptians from starting Internet campaigns to prevent the event from taking place.
“It has been a big cause now on Facebook and Twitter for many people to write about,” Al-Asfar said.
The closure was unrelated to the rumors, he said, adding that the pyramid needed maintenance after the large number of visitors during the Eid Al-Adha holiday last week.
The rest of the complex, which includes two other large pyramids, numerous tombs and the Sphinx, remained open Friday, though security appeared to be heavier than usual.
Dozens of police officers and soldiers were posted throughout the complex. Some patrolled on camel-back. One soldier stood next to his machine gun near a souvenir shop selling miniature pyramids.
Speaking by phone from the pyramids after 11:11 had passed, Al-Asfar said he’d seen nothing out of the ordinary.
“Everything is normal,” he said. “The only thing different is the closure of the Khufu pyramid.”
Khufu is credited with building the Giza complex’s largest pyramid, now one of Egypt’s main tourist attractions. Khufu founded the 4th Dynasty around 2680 BC and ruled Egypt for 23 years.
Meanwhile, thousands of Asians are jamming wedding halls or joining matchmaking groups in hopes of finding love on what could be the most "auspicious day" in a century.
The 11th day of the 11th month has been celebrated as Singles Day in China since the early 1990s, but this year it is being called Super Singles Day because the year also ends in 11.
In Shanghai, thousands of couples registered to get married on Nov. 11 compared to about 500 on an average day. The celebration will carry over to Saturday, when 10,000 singles are to converge on a huge "matchmaking emporium" in the city.
In Malaysia, about 1,000 ethnic Chinese couples exchanged vows at temples and clan association halls. Some even lined up to ensure they could start their married life at 11 a.m. sharp.
