Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL) has emerged as a guardian of Islamic and Arab heritage, housing treasures of rare manuscripts.
During the holy month of Ramadan, these treasures take on a special spiritual significance, offering visitors and researchers the opportunity to view unique manuscripts documenting Muslim customs during this holy month, as well as copies of the Quran from various eras of Islamic history.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Mahmoud Zaki, Manuscripts Specialist at QNL Heritage Library, described the Heritage Library as the “heart of Qatar National Library.”
Dr. Zaki explained that the Heritage Library is dedicated to rare books and early publications, as well as non-traditional materials such as maps, documents, manuscripts, photographs, and more. These materials focus on Qatari, Gulf, Arab, Islamic, and broadly, human heritage in general.
He emphasised that collecting, preserving, providing access to, studying, and presenting heritage across national, regional Arab and Islamic circles, and ultimately, human heritage, are among the most important functions of Qatar National Library.
Dr. Zaki said that the Heritage Library is rich in manuscripts and other valuable collections, particularly rare books from the first Arabic and foreign publications. He noted that among the most valuable of these collections are handwritten Qurans from regions such as China, the Malay Islands, and Southeast Asia, as well as those written by skilled calligraphers from the Ottoman Empire and other areas.
Regarding the holy month of Ramadan, Dr. Zaki said that the written heritage of Muslims includes numerous letters, small books, and excerpts from the Prophet's (PBUH) hadiths about the virtues of Ramadan, the last ten days, Laylat Al Qadr, and the jurisprudence of fasting, as well as the behaviour of Muslims during Ramadan in terms of worship. Some of these texts even address the topic of welcoming and bidding farewell to the month. Among the most famous of these works are the letters of Ibn Al Jawzi and excerpts from Ibn Asakir.
Dr. Zaki explained that these sources can be viewed in the reading room of the Heritage Library through prior arrangement during working hours in the month of Ramadan. Additionally, visitors can explore the Heritage Library's page under the “Explore the Library” menu on the Library's website. Moreover, many manuscripts are available digitally for free access in the Library's Digital Repository.
