Abu Dhabi’s First Manuscripts Conference And Exhibition Kicks Off

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 16th Jan, 2019) Abu Dhabi’s first-ever Manuscripts Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi, and held under the theme "Arabic Manuscripts Reality and Issues" kicked off today at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

The event is expected to attract a large number of officials, scholars and academics from around the world.

Over the course of the first two days, the conference highlights DCT Abu Dhabi’s objectives in preserving the heritage, as well as providing solutions for manuscript preservation and documentation. It will also feature six sessions where experts convene over the historical value of editing, publishing and preserving manuscripts, while the exhibition will run till 16th February. It includes family-friendly workshops on writing, the publishing industry and Arabic calligraphy which will be open to public and free to attend.

Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the board of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum library Establishment, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, attended the inauguration, apart from a number of officials, writers, and manuscript specialists.

Al Murr said, "The Manuscripts Conference and Exhibition plays a significant role in preserving manuscripts and enriching heritage, as well as building bridges of cross-cultural dialogue and tolerance. Manuscripts help us in preserving the culture and are also a key tool in transferring knowledge to future generations. What we see in Abu Dhabi today is a strategic step on the journey of building and promoting the region’s history, and academic research."

Al Kaabi said, "The Conference and Exhibition are a great way to observe the brilliant past, while also finding a way to a bright future; and also serves as an inspiration for scholars, historians, and scientists. This could not have been achieved, however, without DCT Abu Dhabi’s efforts in preserving this wealth of manuscripts.

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She added, "We realise that Arabic manuscripts are this nation's living memory, and represent its knowledge, cultural, and intellectual heritage accumulated over the years. They are a bright part of the long-standing Arabic - Islamic culture, and today we launch a new era of international cooperation in this direction."

Al Mubarak, stated, "This Conference and Exhibition are aligned with our efforts at DCT - Abu Dhabi to contribute to the preservation of global heritage. These efforts encompass various initiatives and events, to encourage international cooperation and find the necessary solutions. Organising this event is a manifestation of Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving manuscripts, as a part of the heritage."

He highlighted the UAE’s achievements in preserving and protecting heritage, leading to the UAE's permanent membership of the Global Coalition for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Zones, to address the pressing matters in this field, and the allocation of US$15 million for the coalition.

Al Mubarak added, "Over the past five decades, the UAE has been able to leave its unique imprint in preserving heritage for future generations, working to preserve and nurture our long-lasting heritage, based on the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."

Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Executive Director of the Dar Al Kutub Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, "This conference, coinciding with the start of the ‘Year of Tolerance’, highlights the wealth values of intellectual, cultural, and religious tolerance embedded in centuries of Islamic heritage, encouraging co-existence and learning from one another. Our event will establish Abu Dhabi’s leading role in publishing and preserving Arabic heritage, and supporting scholars in the field, to enrich and preserve our culture, as these manuscripts represent our cultural heritage as a nation."