Through the implementation of a specialized academic initiative focused on the preservation and documentation of written heritage, the Holy Shrine has continued to enrich its collection by adding a significant number of rare manuscripts encompassing a broad range of sciences and fields of knowledge.
Ammar Muslim Masha-Allah, Head of the Treasury Department, stated in an interview with the Shrine’s News Center:
“More than eight thousand manuscript volumes have been acquired, both through direct purchase and through the generous donations of prominent scholarly families and individuals devoted to the protection of cultural heritage. These contributions have played a vital role in fortifying the scientific resources of the library.”
He added:
“These manuscripts span a wide spectrum of subjects, including Quranic exegesis, jurisprudence, fundamentals of jurisprudence, history, Hadith, medicine, astronomy, and philosophy. They are written in Arabic, Persian, and Urdu—reflecting both the scholarly diversity and civilizational richness of this project.”
He continued:
“To preserve and restore these invaluable works, a specialized restoration workshop has been established, and a complete catalog of the treasury has been compiled in seven volumes. Many manuscripts are written in the handwriting of prominent scholars of the Holy City of Najaf, including Shaikh al-Tusi, Allamah al-Hilli, and Ibn al-Ataiqi—further elevating the scholarly standing of this collection.”
In conclusion, it is noted that the Imam Ali Holy Shrine has enhanced its preservation efforts through the establishment of advanced electronic repositories with the capacity to safeguard more than fifty thousand manuscripts—an initiative that reflects the Shrine’s commitment to honoring knowledge, thought, and human heritage.
