CAIRO ? Rare manuscripts dating back to the beginning of the Islamic history were recently documented and published in Al Azhar University?s electronic library as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Project. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, said in a speech delivered on behalf of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, that the conservation of Islamic scientific heritage may help restore cultural and humanitarian leadership of the Arab world.
“The idea for preserving the manuscripts emerged during a visit of Shaikh Mohammed to Al Azhar a decade ago. He was told of the archived manuscripts and books as he discussed ways to provide an opportunity for all Muslims to take advantage of this Islamic intellectual legacy with the Imam of Al Azhar,” he said.The initiative was launched to preserve rare manuscripts using the latest technology to protect the treasures of Islamic culture and scientific heritage, and to provide an opportunity for Muslims to take advantage of the Islamic intellectual legacy. The manuscripts have been added to an electronic library. “The project of Al Azhar is a leap in the science of manuscript conservation, as it is the third of its kind in the world. The manuscripts are very unique Islamic intellectual material, gathered by many scientists and Azhar students, the first university in the world, which increases the value of Shaikh Mohammed’s gift to preserve the heritage of human civilisation,” said Jamal Bin Hoirab, general supervisor of the project.About 50,000 manuscripts of Al Azhar, involving over eight million pages and 63 sections in various arts and science disciplines dating back to the beginning of the Islamic history have been documented. In addition, 53,000 printed copies were also added where the most recently printed dates back to 60 years ago. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Shaikh Mohammed for launching and funding this project, which we consider as a valuable gift to the Islamic nation. The project will provide the opportunity to Al Azhar to reach the largest possible number of students and researchers all over the world wishing to take advantage of references from Al Azhar,” said Dr Ahmed El Tayeb, Imam of Al Azhar. farhana@khaleejtimes.comView the original article here
0 Responses to Rare Islamic manuscripts documented in e-form