ANSAmed
The al-Qarawiyyin library in the city of Fez will re-open in May. It took four years to restore one of the oldest cultural centres in the world.
Founded in 859 by a woman, it became immediately a reference point for scholars from all over the world but as it was ravaged by time and humidity the Moroccan culture ministry in 2012 asked the Ted (Technology, Entertainment and Design) non profit foundation to take on its restoration.
Architect Aziza Chaouni undertook the delicate and ambitious task to bring back to its old splendour a place that is 1,157 years old, that has seen the greatest wise men of Arab culture, from the 12th century philosopher and poet Ibn Al Arabi to the XIV century historian Ibn Khaldoun but which had been reduced to a pile of masonry by humidity and neglect.
The library never closed to scholars but now re-opens to the public who will be able to admire its manuscripts of the 7th century.
The complex which was enlarged over the centuries includes in addition to the reading room a conference hall, a laboratory for the restoration of ancient manuscripts, a collection of rare books and new offices for the administration, boasting also a beautiful 12th century cupola where temporary and permanent exhibits will be hosted.
The al-Qarawiyyin was born through the wish of Fatima El-Fihriya, daughter of a rich Tunisian immigrant in Fez. The woman particularly cultured, dedicated her entire existence to the construction of a mosque with a Koranic school.
Within a few years, the university became a cultural centre of enormous importance, especially for philosophical and historical studies. Al-Qarawiyyin played a fundamental role in the spread of knowledge between Muslims and Europeans. (ANSAmed).
