Qatar National Library hosted a symposium bringing together experts and researchers to examine the history and continuing traditions of book and manuscript production in Morocco, with a particular focus on how these traditions influenced the circulation of knowledge across the Islamic world.
Titled “Moroccan Book-making and Manuscript Production: Approaches to Materials, Traditions, and Functions,” the two-day event began on 14 April 2025, as part of the Qatar-Morocco Year of Culture and in celebration of Arabic Manuscript Day 2025. It was held under the patronage of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the Institute of Arabic Manuscripts.
Attendees explored the role of Moroccan bookmakers in preserving and disseminating scholarly works and how these traditions shaped the wider Islamic world during in-depth discussions and interactive workshops.
Other themes of the symposium included the exploration of authorship and copying traditions in Morocco, the aesthetics of Moroccan manuscripts, and the history of libraries and their role in manuscript preservation.
Experts provided valuable insights into the critical role of scribes and book-makers (warraqoon) in the transmission of knowledge, as well as the practices involved in manuscript editing.
Symposium organizer Dr. Mahmoud Zaki, Manuscript Librarian and Curator at Qatar National Library said: “Bringing together leading voices from Morocco and beyond, this symposium reflects a shared cultural commitment to preserving and reinterpreting the manuscript heritage of the Arab and Islamic worlds. Marking Arabic Manuscript Day—a cherished initiative launched over a decade ago—and the Qatar–Morocco Year of Culture, the event highlights both the historical depth of Moroccan book-making and the dynamic potential of emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and digital scholarship. From the craftsmanship of scribes to the capabilities of algorithms, it bridges past and present in a dialogue that shapes the future of manuscript studies.”
The symposium also shed light on the distinctive characteristics of Moroccan and Western Islamic manuscripts, drawing parallels with Eastern Islamic traditions and exploring the transmission of knowledge from early scribes, bookmakers, and collectors to contemporary scholars. It further highlighted the contributions of Moroccan scholars such as Mohammed al-Manouni and Ahmed Chouqui Binebine in the preservation and study of manuscript heritage.
The second day of the symposium will delve into the intersection of modern technologies and manuscript study, examining how artificial intelligence can assist in the analysis and preservation of manuscripts while maintaining their historical integrity.
Dr. Zaki said: “Digital tools like AI and data-driven approaches are not just modern enhancements—they are offering valuable insights into how we read, analyze and understand manuscripts. The aim is not to replace traditional scholarship, but to enrich it through thoughtful, interdisciplinary collaboration.”
The discussions will be followed by two hands-on workshops, providing participants the opportunity to examine rare Moroccan manuscripts from QNL’s collection and to engage in discussions on the use of artificial intelligence in manuscript analysis.
