Feature: Centuries-old library to reopen in Morocco after renovation

Preparations are racing against the clock in Morocco to reopen the University of al-Qarawiyyin library, one of the oldest libraries in the world.

Founded in 859 by a devout and wealthy Muslim woman called Fatima al-Fihri, and nestled in the old medina of Fez, Morocco's University of al-Qarawiyyin library is home to unique Islamic manuscripts treasured by historians.

After nearly four years of renovation works led by Moroccan-Canadian architect Aziza Chaouni, the library is set to re-open in May.

For centuries, this library has stood as a reference point for scholars from all over the world, and in medieval times, Al-Qarawiyyin played a leading role in the transfer of knowledge, particularly between Muslims and Europeans.

It houses a collection of manuscripts dating back to the 7th century, including a 9th-century Quran written in Kufic calligraphy as well as manuscripts written by renowned thinkers in the region, from the 12th century philosopher and poet Ibn Al Arabi to the 13th century historian Ibn Khaldoun and philosopher Ibn Rochd (also known as Averroes).

The library is part of al-Qarawiyyin complex, which includes in addition to the library, a mosque and university, was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a rich business who immigranted to Fez from modern-day Tunisia.

The woman particularly cultured, vowed to invest her entire inheritance on a mosque and knowledge center for her new home.

Within a few years, the university became a cultural centre of enormous importance in the Muslim world, especially for philosophical and historical studies.

Given the library's deteriorating condition which reached unprecedented level in the last decade, the Moroccan culture ministry in 2012 commissioned architect Chaouni to rehabilitate the building with a grant from Kuwait's Arab bank.

"Throughout the years, the library underwent many rehabilitations, but it still suffered from major structural problems, a lack of insulation, and infrastructural deficiencies like a blocked drainage system, broken tiles, cracked wood beams, exposed electric wires, and so on," Chaouni told TED of the practical architectural challenges she faced.

When the library opens its doors in May, it will feature an exhibition room for manuscripts, a reading room, multiple book stacks, a conference room, a manuscript restoration laboratory, a rare books collection, and a small museum to showcase the history of the al-Qarawiyyin complex. Endit