حماية التراث والثقافة 📅 2026-09-28 ✍️ YemenProjects Editorial Team

Conclusion of the Emergency Protection Project for 6,000 Rare Manuscripts at Al-Ahqaf Library in Tarim

The curtain has fallen in the city of Tarim, Hadramout Governorate, on the "Emergency Measures for the Protection and Preservation of the Al-Ahqaf Library Manuscript Collection" project. This officially marks a transformative leap forward for the library, turning it from a mere structure battling natural elements into a facility equipped with an integrated preventive protection system, now ready to secure one of the richest intellectual legacies in the region.This step ends decades of silent threats faced by the paper treasures and manuscripts due to sharp rises in temperature and humidity, rainwater leaks, frequent power outages, and fire risks. Housing over 6,000 rare manuscripts (approximately 6,200 manuscripts spanning more than 3,200 volumes)—some dating back more than 800 years—providing a safe and sustainable preservation environment was an imperative necessity to protect them from loss and degradation.The significance of this intervention lies in the unique historical value of the scholarly treasures hosted by the library. It contains seminal works in jurisprudence (particularly the Shafi'i school), Quranic sciences, Hadith, Arabic language and grammar, history, and travelogues, alongside applied sciences such as astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. At the pinnacle of these collections are world-renowned, unique bound treasures; among them is an ancient copy of Al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an by Abu Ja'far al-Tabari dating back to the 6th century AH (circa 533 AH), a copy of The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina, and the illustrated engineering manuscript A Compendium on the Theory and Useful Practice of the Mechanical Arts by Badi' al-Zaman al-Jazari, as well as holy Qurans written in Kufic and Andalusian scripts and embellished with gold leaf.Within the framework of the "Mawrūth" initiative for documentary heritage, a breakthrough was achieved following the announcement of support from the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) for the emergency measures project. The Al-Ranad Foundation for Cultural Development executed the project in the field in coordination with the local authority and the General Organization of Antiquities and Museums.Over two years of continuous planning and field operations (2025–2026), the project progressed through several stages. The technical intervention package took clear shape by early 2026, leading up to the official completion announcement and system readiness on September 26, 2026.The newly established system integrates a comprehensive range of protection pathways, including thermal and water insulation for the library's roof using fire-resistant materials, a 30 kW solar energy system to ensure stable electricity and preservation equipment, upgraded lighting, and the installation of fire detection and suppression systems, alongside training local staff in preventive preservation techniques and maintenance.With the project reaching its final milestone, the Al-Ahqaf Library opens new horizons for researchers and historians. This intervention has established a protective sanctuary that guarantees the survival of foundational books and manuscripts in a suitable environment, safeguarding these rare pages from the ravages of time and preserving Tarim’s cultural heritage for generations to come.