Cultural Heritage and Islamic Unity: Manuscripts in Tunisia and a New Center in Pakistan
Cultural Heritage and Islamic Unity: Manuscripts in Tunisia and a New Center in Pakistan
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Recent developments across the Islamic world highlight simultaneous efforts to preserve cultural heritage and foster unity, with a focus on historical manuscripts in Tunisia and the establishment of a new cultural center in Pakistan.
In Tunisia, a vast number of historical manuscripts—some dating back centuries—are housed in major institutions, including the libraries of Zaytouna and Kairouan universities, as well as private collections on Djerba Island. These manuscripts cover centuries of scholarly activity in fields like jurisprudence, history, and poetry, as reported by IQNA.
Despite this rich heritage, the field of manuscript research is currently struggling. Researchers note a decline in publications and a slow pace of work on multi-volume texts. The weakness of the research process, compared to peak activity in the 1960s and 70s, is attributed to a lack of organized, government-affiliated efforts and insufficient incentives for both individual scholars and private publishers. Cataloging remains a challenge due to the dispersion of works across various institutions.
In a separate development focused on religious cohesion, the Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) Shrine inaugurated the Imam Hussein Cultural Center in Pakistan. Established in cooperation with Al-Kauthar Islamic University, the center aims to strengthen Islamic unity and foster cross-community connections.
The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of clerics, intellectuals, and representatives from various religious and ethnic communities, including Sheikh Anwar Najafi, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in Pakistan. Speakers at the event highlighted the center’s mission to promote peaceful coexistence among Islamic sects, drawing inspiration from Imam Hussein’s message of tolerance. The center is intended to serve as a hub for cultural and media exchange between the shrine and the people of Pakistan.
