Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage in Dubai, in collaboration with Leiden University Library in the Netherlands, organized a virtual lecture on Monday, 27 October 2025, titled “Arabic Manuscripts in Leiden University Library.” The lecture was delivered by Dr. Kate Pokovaya, Curator of Middle Eastern Manuscripts and Rare Books at Leiden University Library.
The event aimed to shed light on the rare Arabic manuscripts housed in the distinguished Leiden University Library, one of Europe’s richest repositories of scholarly sources and references.
During the lecture, Dr. Pokovaya reviewed the history of the library’s Arabic manuscript collection from its inception to the present day. She presented a visual showcase of several significant manuscripts, including the Sufi letters of Sheikh Yusuf al-Tāj al-Khalwati, manuscripts of Yemeni poems and songs, catalogs of the Holy Sanctuary manuscripts, the famed Ṭawq al-Ḥamāmah, and a diverse range of other manuscripts.
The lecture also highlighted prominent figures who contributed to shaping the collection over the centuries, beginning with the “founding fathers” such as Joseph Scaliger, Jacobus Golius, and Levinus Warner, and extending to modern contributions by Snouck Hurgronje and Amin al-Madani.
In closing, Dr. Pokovaya discussed current and future projects dedicated to the preservation and digitization of Arabic manuscripts, ensuring their accessibility to researchers and future generations.
The lecture attracted a notable audience of manuscript and heritage enthusiasts and featured an engaging discussion and diverse questions from participants.
