The Journey of Arabic and Islamic Manuscripts into German Libraries
A recent report highlights the intriguing history of approximately 40,000 Arabic and Islamic manuscripts housed in Germany’s largest public libraries, revealing the complex relationship between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Iqna reported citing an article from Al Jazeera.
These manuscripts have reportedly arrived in German-speaking countries during the Middle Ages through diplomatic, commercial, and military exchanges.
Many manuscripts were either valuable gifts to emperors and nobles or spoils of war. Notably, collections grew through interactions with the Ottoman Empire from the 17th to 19th centuries, although political changes often left these collections dispersed and unclassified. The state libraries of Berlin, Bavaria, and the Gotha Research Library contain the most significant collections of these Eastern manuscripts.
Tilman Seiden-Sticker, a professor of Islamic studies, notes that many manuscripts reached these libraries from former East German libraries and monasteries during the final years of World War II. Interestingly, the Gotha Research Library’s collection of over 3,000 manuscripts was transferred to the Soviet Union in 1946 but returned intact in 1956.
The Berlin Library, founded in 1661, holds the largest collection of oriental manuscripts, acquired to complement Prussia’s commercial ambitions. Significant acquisitions occurred between 1852 and 1887, often supported by the Prussian king due to budget constraints. The Bavarian State Library in Munich also boasts a rich collection, including manuscripts from the Khedivian dynasty of Egypt.
The report underscores how wars and conflicts facilitated the acquisition of valuable manuscripts, with notable examples including the Siege of Tunis in 1535 and the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Overall, the transfer of Arabic manuscripts to German libraries reflects a blend of colonial interests, economic motivations, and cultural competition among European institutions.
