I'm proud to be ..: October 2008

28 Oct 2008

Ibadi private libraries in the Mzab Heptapolis, Algeria

The Mzab oases in southern Algeria have been a refuge for Ibadism (a branch of Islam) since the destruction of the Rustamid State in North Africa by 909 AD. The Mzab became the centre of scholarship on Ibadism, with links between North Africa and the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. Mzab has therefore been an important hub for both scholarship and trade, where written documentation has been highly valued because it was the means by which links between the scattered Ibadi communities were maintained. The materials targeted in this proposal have not previously been used. They concern the slow disintegration of Ibadi communities in the Sahara , the integration of the Mzab in Ottoman Algeria, the shift from the transsaharan trade to temporary migration to the North, and the extent to which Mzab maintained itself as a major relay point in the transsaharan trade until its decay. The materials are valuable to intellectual history, particularly the relations of Mzab intellectuals to other places in the Sahara and beyond, especially before the age of colonialism. This pilot project is targeting new sources in one of the seven cities of the Mzab: Beni-Isguen.

The documents being targeted are dispersed in private libraries, collections, and boxes which have been passed down from generation to generation. They are at risk of permanent damage and loss if someone decides to give away, either by ignorance or by necessity, her/his inherited collection. There is an urgent need to locate, list and preserve, through digitisation, such documents.

Fortunately, people in the Mzab are very aware of this situation. The foundation of the Association for Patrimony in the mid 1980s is an indicator of this awareness and the Abu Ishaq Tefayech Association for the Service of Heritage is another active and dynamic association in the field of the preservation of archives. The aim is to undertake a survey, report on the condition of the documents, and plan a strategy for preservation and eventually for digitisation. Where appropriate, selected digitisation of particularly endangered manuscripts will be done.

The target of this pilot project is the town of Beni-Isguen, where there are numerous private collections belonging to descendents of Ibadi scholars and traders. The physical condition of the materials ranges from well-preserved to completely neglected manuscripts, resulting in fragments of documents containing information about trade, accounting, private correspondence. These endangered documents provide valuable information about daily life in and out of the Mzab during the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Also, there are numerous rare manuscripts, including an 11 th century AD. profession of faith ( `aqida ), in Berber.
Taken from: http://www.bl.uk/about/policies/endangeredarch/2007/addoun.html

The 13th internationnal book fair - Algiers, 27-10 to 5-11 2008

The 13th Algiers International Book Fair (SILA) started yesterday (October 27th. The event will run through November 5th and will feature 400 exhibitors from 23 countries.

23 Oct 2008

Cave of Hira

22 Oct 2008

Do you miss him P.B.U.H , as he did ?

A short time before his death, the Prophet (PBUH) visited the martyrs of Uhud (one battle of Muslims), then he cried. The companions asked him "why are you crying?" he said: "I missed my brothers and sisters." **READ**

21 Oct 2008

Who are his servants?

Verses from sura AL-FORKAN (The Statute Book): 25, verses: 63-77.

[25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.

[25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.

[25:65] And they say, "Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous.

[25:66] "It is the worst abode; the worst destiny."

[25:67] When they give, they are neither extravagant nor stingy; they give in moderation.

[25:68] They never implore beside GOD any other god, nor do they kill anyone - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.

[25:69] Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated.

[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[25:71] Those who repent and lead a righteous life, GOD redeems them; a complete redemption.

[25:72] They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it.

[25:73] When reminded of their Lord's revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind.

[25:74] And they say, "Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous."

[25:75] These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace.

[25:76] Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode.

[25:77] Say, "You attain value at my Lord only through your worship. But if you disbelieve, you incur the inevitable consequences."

20 Oct 2008

The Death of the Prophet (PBUH)

On the 12th of Rabi 1, in the 11th year after the Hijra approximating to the 8th of June 632 of the Christian Era, whilst praying earnestly in whisper, the spirit of the great Prophet (PBUH) took flight to the "Blessed companionship on high" [Ibn Hisham]READ MORE