Initiative Aims to Preserve Yildiz Palace Library Archives

Istanbul, Dubai: 12 April, 2008 - The first phase of modernizing the library of Istanbul-based Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), based at the historic Yildiz Palace, kicked off with a generous grant from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's initiative assumes enormous significance as the IRCICA, affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), currently boasts more than 65,000 rare reference books, and 200,000 historic documents as well as images on the Islamic civilization, dating back to the 19th and the early 20th centuries.

The programme will ensure the complete digitisation of the IRCICA Library's contents, and achieve the upgrading of its website into a multi-lingual portal for easy access of information on the Islamic civilization by researchers worldwide.

The project was launched at a ceremony held in Istanbul late last week and was attended by His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiya, Secretary General of the GCC Council; Moammar Goular, Mayor of Istanbul; Ambassador Izzat Kamel Al Mufti, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference, and Dr. Khalid Eren, General Manager of IRCICA.

Mohammad Al Murr, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Cultural and Arts Authority; Dr. Saeed Hareb, Advisor to the President of the UAE University; Jamal bin Juwayreb Al Muhairi, Cultural Advisor to The Executive Office in Dubai, and Yasser Hareb, Vice President for Culture at the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, also attended the ceremony that brought together academic figures and thought leaders from the GCC region, as well as Turkish diplomatic corps and the international media.

The programme's ambitious objectives will be achieved in three phases. While the first will include equipping the IRCICA Library with world class infrastructure, the second phase will ensure the digitisation of a large part of the library's collections.

The third phase will involve linking the library's sections through an advanced network. Simultaneously, the IRCICA website will be converted into an interactive portal highlighting the Centre's activities and publications.

His Excellency Al Attiya praised the project as one of the Middle East's most pioneering cultural initiatives for the benefit of researchers around the world. 

Attending the ceremony on behalf of the  H.E. Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Dr. Ekmeleddin ?hsano?lu, Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Culture, Izzat Kamel Al Mufti pointed out the gesture by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was not surprising from someone who has generously extended a helping hand to humanitarian, cultural and charitable endeavours around the globe.

Dr. Khalid Eren said the donation will help the Centre extend its services to 57 member states of the OIC through its unique status as a bridge for different cultures. He also added the electronic library will help acquaint visitors with the Islamic civilization, while facilitating inter-cultural dialogue.

His Excellency Mohammad AlGergawi, Chairman of the Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: "The initiative illustrates His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's keenness to preserve rare scriptures, historic artifacts and manuscripts for the benefit of future generations.

"Such initiatives will significantly revive the region's intellectual capital and raise direct and indirect contributions to scientific research. It will also generate interest in scientific discovery, and support human resource development while fostering the perpetuation of Islamic culture."

Mohammad Al Murr, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Cultural and Arts Authority, reiterated the importance of digitising the library at the Yildiz Palace, hailing the initiative as a milestone for researchers and intellectuals. He added the project exemplified the positive influence of the Islamic culture that places high emphasis on civilization, heritage and cultural dialogue.

Jamal Bin Houaireb Al-Muhairy, Cultural Advisor at The Executive Office - Dubai Government, and Project Leader of the IRCICA Library Programme, said the generous gesture is part of a series of international cultural initiatives to be launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. He added that by supporting IRCICA - the OIC cultural subsidiary, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed seeks to relentlessly promote knowledge and culture while upholding the values of the Islamic and Arab world.

Launched with an endowment of AED37 billion (US$10 billion), the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation aims to develop future leaders and create a knowledge-based society in the region through key components of intellectual capital, culture, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

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© Press Release 2008