EGP edges lower against USD in early Monday trade    Egypt delivers over 30 million health services through public hospitals in H1 2025    Egypt joins Geneva negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, calls for urgent agreement    Madinet Masr in talks for three land plots in Riyadh as part of Saudi expansion    Egypt's PM tells Palestinian PM that Rafah crossing is working 24/7 for aid    Egypt, Japan discuss economic ties, preparations for TICAD conference    Real Estate Developers urge flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and dollar-based transactions    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt's Supreme Energy Council reviews power supply plans for 14 industrial projects    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Preserving Al-Azhar's manuscripts
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 02 - 09 - 2011

CAIRO - Al-Azhar, the world's most prestigious seat of Islamic learning, has celebrated the completion of the project of Mohamed Bin Rashed Al-Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Absolute Monarch of Dubai, to preserve the manuscripts of Al-Azhar and publish them online.
The participants in the celebration, which was held last week at Al-Azhar Convention Centre, praised the efforts made by Al-Maktoum to support the project, which has cost LE38 million.
The project has involved documenting and preserving 50,000 of Al-Azhar's manuscripts, comprising more than 8 million pages and 63 sections in various artistic and scientific disciplines dating back to the beginning of Islamic history, in addition to 53,000 printed works, the most recent of which was published 60 years ago.
“The project will provide Al-Azhar to reach the largest possible number of students and researchers worldwide, wishing to take advantage of works of reference from Al-Azhar.
“There are more than 9,000 Al-Azhar institutes around the world with more than 70 faculties and 2.5 million students,” said Ahmed el-Tayeb, Imam of Al-Azhar.
“This project is a glorious example of co-operation and joint effort between the UAE and Egypt for the good of the people in both countries,” said Emad Abu Ghazi on behalf of Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf.
The idea for preserving the manuscripts emerged during a visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed to Al-Azhar a decade ago.
He was told of the archived manuscripts and books as he discussed ways to provide an opportunity for all Muslims to take advantage of this Islamic intellectual legacy with the Imam of Al-Azhar, according to Mohamed Abdullah Al-Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
“The project reflects the fascinating relations between the UAE and Egypt, inviting us to take advantage of the capabilities and potential in both countries.
“The scientific and cultural co-operation between the UAE and Egypt has not emerged recently, as it dates back to the days of the country's inception under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan,” added Al-Gergawi.
The project has archived the manuscripts and made 125,000 references available electronically through a dedicated website, in addition to establishing an internal communications network to link the main Al-Azhar institutes.
During the ceremony Al-Azhar launched its electronic library that stores scientific books and references within its website (www.alazharlibrary.gov.eg), allowing researchers and students around the world to browse a huge collection of Islamic intellectual reserves.
The technical infrastructure for the project will be developed by IBM to ensure the highest global standards in document storage and archiving, with the help of the latest equipment and advanced technologies.
IBM was chosen for their expertise in this area and experience in working on similar large-scale projects around the world, such as the Vatican Archives and the Congress Library.
“The project of Al-Azhar is a leap in the science of manuscript conservation, as it is the third of its kind in the world.
“The manuscripts are unique Islamic intellectual material, gathered by many scientists and students of Al-Azhar, the first university in the world, which increases the value of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed's gift to preserve the heritage of human civilisation,” said Jamal Bin Hoirab, General Supervisor of the project.


Clic here to read the story from its source.