Now open | Handwritten Heritage: Arabic Texts in Manuscript

Text page from a manuscript with Arabic writing in black and red inks — Opening of the eighth maqāmah (assembly) in Isl. Ms. 650, a late 13th or early 14th c manuscript copy of *Maqāmāt al-Ḥarīrī*

Don't miss Handwritten Heritage: Arabic Texts in Manuscript, on display March 5th - April 13th in the Special Collections Exhibit Gallery (660J) on the 6th floor of Hatcher!

This exhibit features a selection of iconic Arabic texts from the holdings of the Islamic Manuscripts Collection preserved in the University Library.

Double-page opening from a manuscript with Arabic writing in black, gold and colors, framed by vegetal designs — Iluminated opening of Isl. Ms. 1044, an 18th c Maghribi copy of *Dalāʼil al-khayrāt*, al-Jazūlī's (d.1465) famous compendium of blessings upon the Prophet Muḥammad

Carefully transcribed copies of classic literary works by al-Mutanabbī (d.965), Abū al-ʻAlāʼ al-Maʻarrī (d.1057), and al-Ḥarīrī (d.1122) appear alongside influential grammatical, scientific, and mystical writings - even a text on musical theory and performance.

Drawing of a lute with numerous labels in Arabic script — Schematic of the tonal intervals superimposed on the fretboard of a lute (ʿūd). Illustration in Isl. Ms. 791, an early 20th c copy of *Kitāb al-Adwār fī al-mūsīqá* by al-Urmawī (d.1294)

The exhibit is offered in conjunction with the U-M Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) celebration of Arab Heritage Month.

We hope you'll have a chance to celebrate this heritage with us!