National Library of Albania Highlights Imam Ali’s Legacy During Cultural Events in Tirana

National Library of Albania Highlights Imam Ali’s Legacy During Cultural Events in Tirana
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The National Library of Albania showcased a rare manuscript from its Oriental Collection as part of the Sultan Nowruz celebrations in the capital, highlighting the country’s Islamic heritage and promoting awareness of the history of Islamic thought in the Balkans.

The centerpiece of the exhibition was a book titled “The Month of the Diwan of Imam Ali (peace be upon him),” an early edition containing the sayings of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them both). Printed in Egypt in 1255 AH (1835 CE), the manuscript is considered one of the earliest works translated from Arabic into Ottoman Turkish, reflecting the 19th-century translation movement and cultural exchanges within the Islamic world.

The library noted that this edition is preserved in the Oriental Collection housed in the Oriental Hall of the Sotir Kulia Center in Tirana, one of Albania’s most important repositories of Oriental manuscripts and books. The collection contributes to documenting the scientific and cultural heritage of Islamic civilization in the Balkans.

Organizers emphasized that displaying these rare manuscripts serves to preserve cultural heritage, safeguard historical texts, and provide valuable resources for researchers and the public interested in understanding the development of Islamic thought and intellectual history.

Albania, located in southeastern Europe, has a population of approximately 2.8 million. Its Muslim community, which constitutes the majority of the population, is organized under the Islamic Community of Albania, which oversees religious life and promotes Islamic identity and cultural preservation in the country.