UAE: Rare Arab manuscripts never seen outside of Spain on display in Sharjah

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, marked the inauguration of 'The Arabic Manuscript Collection of El Escorial' Exhibition on Sunday at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The event, held in collaboration with El Escorial library, will take place from April 2 to April 9.

The exhibition is the first to feature the largest collection of rare Arab artefacts from the El Escorial Library, which has never been displayed outside of Spain before. The manuscripts have been granted the authorisation by the Royal Palace of Madrid to be publicly displayed for the first time in the emirate.

The Sharjah Ruler toured the exhibition, which includes 14 rare manuscripts from the 13th to 16th centuries. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed was briefed on the history, contents, and authors of these rare Arabic manuscripts preserved in Spain.

The exhibition is a testament to the Sharjah Book Authority's commitment to the Arab cultural movement and fostering intercultural dialogue with European and global cultural hubs. The Authority's collaborative efforts with cultural and educational institutions, including historical libraries dedicated to preserving ancient manuscripts, are aimed at facilitating public access.

The collection

The most precious manuscripts on display include "Kitab al-masalik wa-lmamalik" by Abu Obaid Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Muhammad Al-Bakri Al-Andalusi, which is the oldest item at the exhibition, dating back to the 13th century, and "Kitab sarh al-uyun fi sharh risalat Ibn Zaydun" by Jamal al-Din ibn Nabata al-Masri.

The exhibition also features a range of other rare works, among them are "Kitab sihr al-balaga wa-sirr al-baria" by Abd al-Malik bin Muhammad bin Ismail Abu Mansour al-Tha'alabi, "Kitab Aya ib al-majluqat wa gharayib al-mawjudat" by Abu Abdullah bin Zakariya Al-Qazwini, "Risala fi ilm al-zilal" by Muhammad bin Al-Raqam Al-Andalusi, and a copy of the Holy Quran (known as Mushaf Moulay Zidane).

Additionally, the exhibition includes works such as "Kitab Al-Barq Al-Yamani fi l-fath al- utmani" by Qutbuddin Muhammad bin Ahmed Al-Nahrawali Al-Makki, "Diwan Shihab al-Din ibn al-Khayyat" (Diwan Ibn al-Khayyat) by Abu Abdullah Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ali Al-Taghlibi, known as Ibn Al-Khayyat Al-Dimashqi, and "Diwan Shams al-Din al-Hanafi" by Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Hassan bin Ali Al-Hanafi Al-Qurashi Al-Taymi.

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