Fahd Ali Al Maamari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ELIA, stressed the importance of celebrating Arabic Manuscripts Day, as it reflects the harvest of science and knowledge contained in thousands of Arabic manuscripts, which had the greatest impact in reviving thought, illuminating the path of science, opening the horizons of knowledge, and linking ancient sciences with modern sciences through writing and translation.
Al Maamari said that celebrating Arabic Manuscripts Day comes in implementation of the initiative approved by the ministers responsible for cultural affairs in the Arab world in 2013, and adopted by the Arab Organisation for Education, Culture and Science, to be celebrated on the fourth of April every year, being corresponding to the establishment of the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts in 1946.
Al Maamari explained that the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts includes 3 million manuscripts, and the Arab and Islamic countries have enjoyed a scientific and cultural manuscript heritage, the likes of which rarely has been enjoyed by any nation throughout history. This is not only represented in its abundance and size, but in its scientific, literary, cultural and historical contents, including almost the entire ancient and medieval world, both geographically and historically.