Modern technology and preservation of Shia heritage

Like many experts and manuscript specialists around the world, Shia codicologists have utilized technology and artificial intelligence to restore and preserve historical and cultural heritage belonging to Shia sect, some of which dating back to the time of Imam Ali, peace be upon him.

The Haidariya Library at the Holy Shrine in Holy Najaf, Iraq, contains a copy of the Holy Qur’an attributed to the Commander of the Faithful, at the end of which is written: “This is what Ali bin Abi Talib wrote in the year 40 AH”. Artificial intelligence has been used to analyze ink used in writing this ancient manuscript.

In terms of Islamic architecture and design, the holy shrines of the Imams of Ahlulbayt, peace be upon them, stand as prime examples of this art; where classic Karbalai tiles are used to cover the interior and exterior walls of these holy sites.

At a global level, Wadi-us-Salaam or the Vally of peace—an Islamic cemetery located in Holy Najaf—is considered one of the world’s biggest cemeteries and was the most recent Shia site to be recognized by UNESCO.