UNESCO Memory of The World

UNESCO Memory of The World Website

The following collections are listed in the Memory of the World Register, UNESCO's programme aiming at preservation and dissemination of valuable archive holdings and library collections worldwide.

Azerbaijan - Medieval manuscripts on medicine and pharmacy

The present collection of medical manuscripts is unique. Some of these manuscripts are available only in this collection. Only a few manuscripts of other books have been recorded in the manuscript depositories of the World. However, all of these books are fundamental works and once were widely used all over the Muslim World. With time many manuscripts were lost. Therefore, the present collection is unique and irreplaceable. It is kept by the Institute of Manuscript of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (IMANAS) named after Mahammad Fuzuli.

Three items are being nominated for inscription on the Register as a set of documents on a specific theme. These are the:

Egypt - Deeds of Sultans and Princes

The deeds belonged to the Princes and Sultans who ruled Egypt, starting from the Fatimid era to the end of the Mamluke era. The collection refers to many of the distinguished historical persons in Egypt and Arab countries, thus demonstrating social, economical and political aspects during that era. It consists of four hundred deeds, in total, written on papers and parchments, in roll-form. The longest deed is forty metres long and its width ranges from 34 centimetres to 45 centimetres and they are kept in chemically-treated cardboard cylinders. In fact, this collection is considered as the oldest in the National Archives of Egypt, and does not exist elsewhere in any archives of the world. On this basis alone, the deeds could be considered as an incomparable and unique holding. There are 120 deeds written on parchment, including cultural heritage materials. In view of this, a great care must be given to preserving and maintaining this collection of deeds, which belonged to the Princes and Sultans. Therefore, the National Library and Archives of Egypt strongly nominates this collection of deeds from its own properties of documentary heritage for the Memory of the World Register.

Kazakhstan - Collection of the manuscripts of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

The National Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan keeps a collection of manuscripts of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and his follower. All the manuscripts are in the medieval Turkic language (chagatai) and comprise about 1400 pages. The collection of the documentary heritage of Yasawi and his disciples had a great influence upon the development of spiritual culture of the ancient Turks and promoted the development of the Turkic language and literature.

Malaysia - Hikayat Hang Tuah

Hikayat Hang Tuah is regarded as a Malay literary classic and a traditional Malay epic. This folk tale has been proudly recounted to generations of Malays. It is recognised as a national literary classic which is well-known not only amongst the Malays but also to the people in the Malay Archipelago. Much studies have been made on this manuscript by local and foreign researchers.

Hang Tuah is characterised as most illustrious Malay hero in Malacca and represented absolute loyalty to the ruler as the ultimate champion of Malay loyalty, chivalry and obedience to tradition. Hikayat Hang Tuah symbolises the greatness of Malacca at that time whilst projecting the bravery of the Malays.

The National Library of Malaysia has in its possession two manuscripts of Hikayat Hang Tuah, with identification number MSS 1658 and MSS 1713. The manuscripts are written on old European paper about 200 years ago. Colophon statement is distinctly absent, as is usual in the tradition of Malay manuscripts writing. To this day the author of the hikayat remains unknown. The manuscripts are being preserved in an acid-free box and kept in strong room which is designed according to the accepted standards of preservation requirements.

Malaysia - Sejarah Melayu (The Malay Annals)

The Sejarah Melayu or the Malay Annals are unique in that they constitute the only available account of the history of the Malay Sultanate in the fifteenth and early sixteenth century. They are in the nature of what may be termed as historical literature conveying a historical narration on the origins, evolution and demise of a great Malay maritime empire, with its unique system of government, administration and politics.

The Annals have universal appeal as they relate to a major transformation in the lives of the people of the Malay Archipelago from a Hindu-Malay matrix to an Islamic – Malay culture. Being an entrepot port, Melaka made rapid progress on account of its cosmopolitan population comprising merchants from India, China, Arabia, Portugal and various other nations of the world. They contributed to the social, economic and political evolution of the Malay Kingdom.

The Annals are therefore a vital source of information for scholars in various fields including sociology, anthropology, economics, politics, international relations, linguistics and literature.

Tajikistan - The manuscript of Ubayd Zakoni's "Kulliyat" and Hafez Sherozi's "Gazalliyt" (XIV century)

This is a rare manuscript (XIV century), a great example of Tajik-Persian Classic Literature, which is considered a brilliant achievement of the world’s cultural heritage. The role of spiritual heritage of Tajik literature proves the richness of ancient and modern literature.

It is known that western Europeans and Americans became acquainted with this literature only in 16th century while eastern peoples –Indians, Arabs, Armenians, Georgians and Turks were aware of it from the very beginning.

This unique combination manuscript consists of two parts: the complete works ("Kulliyat") of Ubayd Zakoni (the famous Tajik -Persian writer) and well-known poet Hafiz Sherozi "Gazalliyt". This is most the ancient version of the manuscript of Ubayd Zakoni and Hafiz Sherozi in the world, the only one of its kind, which was re-writen only 35 years of after the death of Ubayd Zakoni and 9 years after the death of Hafiz Sherozi. The Manuscript has a special design with Hafiz’ poems located around Ubaid Zakoni’s text.

Tanzania - Collection of Arabic Manuscripts and Books

The Collection of more than 800 local and printed manuscripts under the custody of the National Archives is unique material to the study of the social and cultural heritage of Zanzibar and the Eastern African region. Some of these go back to 300 years providing data of all kinds and they are of great interest to the study of various aspects of Islam, Arabic literature and rhetoric, history of ideas in Zanzibar and the Eastern African. In addition to cultural content, the manuscripts represent good artistic works showing the art of calligraphy, the arrangement to margins and other points connected with artistic embellishment.

Uzbekistan - Holy Koran Mushaf of Othman

This manuscript, held by the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, is the earliest existent written version of the Koran. It is the definitive version, known as the Mushaf of Othman, superseding all other versions. The third Caliph Othman, who ordered its compilation, was assassinated while reading it.

Uzbekistan - The Collection of the Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies

This is one of the most important collections of Central Asian manuscripts. It reflects the role of this part of the world as a cross-roads of the Silk Road and its importance in the development of Islamic science and culture. The Collection is of great significance for the study of the history and culture of the peoples of Central Asia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the Arab world, and of the political, diplomatic and cultural relations between them.