The Austrian National Library (ANL) has discovered more than 282 volumes of ancient Arabic manuscripts in its collections. The manuscripts are expected to add considerable amounts of information concerning the history and traditional heritage of the Arabian Peninsula to existing knowledge. A proposal for restoring and studying the manuscripts has been submitted to the Kingdom.
"The proposed project will help to build an intellectual bridge between Austria and the Arab world on the one hand and between Arab countries and Europe on the other," said Marieliese Schack, director of the Institute for Restoration at the ANL. "We are awaiting response from the Saudis about how they want to be involved in this restoration and research project," Schack added. The invitation to participate in the preservation of the Glaser Collection — the name by which the manuscripts are known — was extended to the Saudis last year during the visit of Austrian President Dr. Thomas Klestil to the Kingdom.
Schack said that after restoration, the aim is to store the manuscripts in a purpose-built and climate-controlled environment. The manuscripts would then be accessible to selected researchers and scholars. The library itself would offer financial support to the project as it has funds available for such a purpose.
The ANL has some 6.9 million collections including 2.9 million books, 190,000 rare manuscripts, graphics and posters in addition to having the second largest collection of rare globes in the world.
Schack said the library plans to bring its catalog online in 2005 so that researchers anywhere in the world may have access. She said that a part of the necessary funding has been made by a generous contribution from Prince Hassan of Jordan.
The collection also includes 30 editions of the Holy Qur’an, 14 books of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, 35 major titles on legal and religious subjects, over 75 religious documents dealing with different topics, 19 rare historical documents, 30 titles of poetry and 20 documents on morality, behavior and codes of conduct. The value of the manuscripts lies in the discovery of new information which will result from an intensive study of them. Shack said the manuscripts had been collected by an Austrian explorer, Eduard Glaser, in the Arabian Peninsula. The manuscripts serve as a source for research into the art of book bindings and paper production in southern Arabia. The library has assigned an expert to begin restoration while awaiting the Saudi response to the invitation.