Supreme Council Member His Holiness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and Ruler of Sharjah hosted the launch of “The Arabic Manuscript Collection of El Escorial ” Exhibition on Sunday at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The function was coordinated with El Escorial Library, which will occur from April 2- April 9.
The exhibition is the first to showcase the compilation of rare Arab artefacts from El Escorial Library, which has not yet been displayed outside of Spain. The manuscripts have been granted consent by the Royal Palace of Madrid to be displayed in public for the first time in the Emirate.
The Sharjah Ruler toured the exhibition, which included 14 rare manuscripts from the 13th to 16th centuries.
The exhibition is a witness to the commitment of the Sharjah Book Authority to the Arab cultural movement for intercultural dialogue with European and global cultural hubs. The combined efforts of the Authority aim to facilitate public access to manuscripts, including historical libraries dedicated to preserving ancient manuscripts.
The Collection
The most precious manuscripts on display include ” Kitab al- masalik wa- Imamalik” by Abu Obaid Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Muhammed Al- Bakri Al- Andalusi, which is the oldest item at the exhibition, from back 13th century and ” kitab sarh al- uyun fi sharh risalat Ibn Zaydun” by Jamal al-Din ibn Nabata al- Masri.
The exhibition also showcased rare works like ” Kitab sihral- balaga wa – sirr al – baria” by Abdal -Malik bin Mohammed bin Ismail abu Mansour al- Tha’ alaibi, ” Kitab Aya ib Al – majluqat wa ghrayib Al – mawjudat” by Abu Abdullah bin Zalariya Al – Qazwini, “Risala fi ilm al- zilal” by Mohammed bin Al – Rawan Al – Andalusi, and a copy of the Holy Quran.
The inauguration was attended by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Abdul Rahman bin Muhammed Al Owaisi, Minister of Health and Prevention and many other senior officials and directors of government departments.
The exhibition is generally open from April 2 to April 9 between 9 pm and 1 am at the headquarters of Sharjah Book Authority. It also provides a rare opportunity for visitors to gain insights into Spain’s rich heritage of Arabic manuscripts. It also has information about the Arab scholars who contributed to literature, philosophy and science.
