ELIA highlights Sharjah's efforts in protecting manuscripts

The discussions centered on the importance of manuscripts as vital parts of a nation's cultural memory. The speakers talked about how these manuscripts have been produced, shared, and preserved throughout history, especially in today's world where technology has made it easier to digitize them and make them accessible to the public. 

One of the key points highlighted was Sharjah's leading role in preserving and sharing heritage and manuscripts through innovative projects and dedicated institutions. Fahd Al Maamari, the Chairman of ELIA, emphasized that manuscripts are valuable cultural treasures that need special attention and expertise in library science. He mentioned that modern technology has significantly improved how these manuscripts are cared for, organized, and made available to researchers, making it easier to tackle challenges that past scholars faced. 

Dr. Bashar Awad praised Sharjah’s strong commitment to preserving Arab and Islamic heritage, noting the increasing interest in manuscripts in recent years. He shared that he has worked on publishing over 370 books of edited manuscripts, including important works like "Tahdhib al-Kamal" and "Tarikh al-Islam." He believes these publications have played a crucial role in his academic work and have helped highlight the significance of written heritage in understanding the history of Islamic civilization.