King Abdulaziz Library: Documenting 47,000 rare items to preserve heritage
continues The King Abdulaziz Public Library its pioneering role as a guardian of cultural identity through a massive project aimed at documenting and digitizing more than 47,000 rare heritage items. This strategic step to preserve Arab and Islamic memory for future generations aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places great importance on national and human heritage. The library seeks to enhance the Kingdom's position as a global cultural destination and a trusted resource for researchers and historians.
A global cultural beacon and a rich history
The significance of this event extends beyond mere archiving; it reflects the historical depth of the institution. Since its inception, the King Abdulaziz Library undertaken the weighty responsibility of building bridges of knowledge between East and West. This project is an extension of a long history of preserving knowledge resources, transforming the library into a beacon of cultural influence that attracts scholars from around the world, thus strengthening the Kingdom's soft power and underscoring its pivotal role in safeguarding human heritage from extinction amidst contemporary challenges.
Knowledge treasures and rare manuscripts
The library houses a vast treasure trove of knowledge, including 8,571 heritage books and over 8,000 original manuscripts, making it an exceptional global resource. This cultural wealth is further enhanced by a collection of 32,000 rare books and 700 historical maps of the Arabian Peninsula, the oldest dating back to 1482 CE, some written in ancient Latin. In the realm of historical scholarship, the library has documented various Islamic eras through its acquisition of 7,600 rare coins and mints, meticulously arranged in gold, silver, and bronze, providing a rich source of research material for specialists in the economic and political history of the region.
A visual memory of the Two Holy Mosques and Jerusalem
The library boasts a unique collection of 365 original, unpublished photographs of the Two Holy Mosques, taken by the renowned photographer Ahmed Pasha Helmy, documenting these sacred sites in bygone eras. Furthering its national mission, the library has documented the history of Jerusalem by publishing a monumental work entitled "Al-Aqsa," featuring 360 rare photographs that reveal the most minute details of the holy sites and their rich history. The collection also includes 78 rare European books on the Prophet's biography and 113 early translations of the Holy Quran, underscoring the library's meticulous attention to Islamic sources.
King Abdulaziz Library and the Vision of the Future
In the context of national documentation and support for scientific research, the library has published in-depth research studies on horses, camels, and pilgrimage routes, translating the works of travelers and orientalists dating back to the era of the First Saudi State. The library administration emphasizes its keenness to make this cultural heritage accessible to the public through the latest digital technologies, thus facilitating access for researchers from around the world to these treasures and contributing to the global dissemination of Arab and Islamic culture, thereby achieving a unique balance between the authenticity of the past and the technologies of the future.
