These Middle Eastern libraries, from ancient to modern, showcase the region's literary traditions and commitment to knowledge.
In the rich tapestry that is the Middle East's architectural heritage, libraries have long served as monuments to knowledge and culture. From the ancient to the contemporary, these institutions showcase not only the region's profound literary traditions but also its enduring commitment to scholarship and enlightenment. Here are the six most captivating libraries that grace the landscapes of the Middle East.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is stuck somewhere between ancient wisdom and modern scholarship. It’s a place where the echoes of the ancient Library of Alexandria, once the pinnacle of intellectual achievement, reverberate through the halls. Today's Bibliotheca Alexandrina, with its six specialized libraries and four museums, offers shelf space for over 8,000,000 books.
Orient-Institut Beirut, Lebanon
The Orient-Institut Beirut's library is a treasure trove for Near and Middle Eastern Studies. With over 140,000 volumes and 90,000 electronic resources, it's a haven for researchers. The Max Weber Digital Library Collection offers diverse humanities resources. Primarily in Arabic, it also features English, French, German, and other languages like Armenian and Persian. The reading room provides a quiet space with modern amenities and a scenic garden terrace.
Al-Qarawiyyin Library, Morocco
The al-Qarawiyyin Library is a quiet marvel, a challenge to the commonly held assumptions about women's roles in Muslim civilization. It was Fatima El-Fihriya, daughter of a wealthy immigrant from al-Qayrawan, who founded this institution. She was educated, devout, and resolute in her vow to spend her entire inheritance on a mosque and a center of knowledge for her community. In her vision, she saw a place where minds could meet and expand, where the pursuit of learning would be paramount. UNESCO recognizes the result as the oldest operational educational institution in the world.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Saudi Arabia
The library at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is a standout feature of this landmark initiative by the Saudi Aramco Oil Company, aimed at promoting cultural development, knowledge, and diversity in the Kingdom. Since its opening in 2018, the center has provided the local population and visitors with unprecedented access to a wide range of learning and cultural facilities. The library, one of the largest public libraries in the region, boasts over 315,000 physical books for all ages in both Arabic and English. Additionally, it hosts a series of learning programs, including workshops and book clubs for children, making it a vibrant hub for education and community engagement.
Greater Cairo Library, Egypt
The Greater Cairo Public Library in Zamalek, inaugurated on January 24, 1995, occupies the historic late nineteenth-century residence of Princess Samiha Kamel. Over the past decade, the library has significantly grown, now welcoming around 600 visitors daily. It offers innovative services such as information via telephone and fax, the Information Technology Club, and selective information broadcasting. As Egypt's largest public library, it publishes a variety of books and studies and hosts vibrant cultural and artistic activities for all ages, widely covered by the media. Established by the Ministry of Culture, the library serves as a hub for researchers, scholars, and the general public.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, UAE
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, designed in the shape of a rehl, the traditional wooden book rest used to hold the Quran, is a striking edifice overlooking Dubai Creek. This seven-story structure, with its ten main collections, has been a sanctuary of learning since its founding in 2014. Inside, visitors find a vast array of historical manuscripts, contemporary works, ebooks, and other digital media.
