Centuries-old library reopens in Morocco after renovation

The University of al-Qarawiyyin library, one of the oldest in the world, reopened on Wednesday after four years of renovation.

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.

The library reopened along with 27 other historical sites in the old Islamic center of Fez.

The renovation of these sites cost a budget of 30 million U.S. dollars.

The library features 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, which also includes a mosque and a university.

The Moroccan culture ministry in 2012 commissioned Moroccan-Canadian architect Aziza Chaouni to rehabilitate the building with a grant from Kuwait's Arab bank. Endit