Ahwal Al-Ma'rifa: Exclusive

The King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries project, which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Medina on July 1, 2015, represents a scientific cultural radiation not only at the level of the Kingdom, but will benefit all students of knowledge in various parts of the world, as it will include the most precious and rare endowment libraries existing in Medina with their precious manuscripts and treasures of knowledge.

History of the Library

In the Saudi era, four libraries appeared in Medina: The Prophet's Mosque Library, the Holy Quran Library, the Medina Public Library, and the King Abdulaziz Library. The Prophet's Mosque Library was established in 1352 AH. The Holy Quran Library was established at the call of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz and opened in 1391 AH. The Medina Public Library "Awqaf Libraries Complex" was founded at the end of the first expansion of the Prophet's Mosque and opened by King Saud bin Abdulaziz in 1380 AH / 1960 AD. The King Abdulaziz Library covers 5000 m2 and overlooks the Prophet's Mosque. It is the largest public library under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Kings of the Kingdom's Interest in Endowment Libraries

Endowment libraries received the care of the Kingdom's kings from the founder King Abdulaziz to King Salman. King Abdulaziz approved the reform of endowment offices to protect books from damage. King Saud established a scientific library gathering Medina's collections in 1374 AH. King Faisal laid the foundation stone for the King Abdulaziz Library in 1393 AH. King Fahd opened it in 1403 AH. King Salman ordered the creation of the "King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in Medina" next to the Quba Mosque to include the contents of the King Abdulaziz Library and other endowment libraries and a museum of rare Islamic holdings.

A Giant Cultural Edifice

The King Abdulaziz Library in Medina is a scientific and cultural Islamic center, a pride of our country, visited by researchers and intellectuals to draw from its scientific treasures. It combines the characteristics of a public library, a manuscript center, and a scientific research center.

Library Contents

The library includes 1878 manuscript copies of the Holy Quran and 84 Quranic sets. It contains the oldest manuscript Quran dating back to 488 AH written by Ali bin Mohammed al-Batalyusi on gazelle parchment. The manuscript section includes 15,722 original manuscripts. The rare books section includes 25,000 books. The modern publications section includes 90,000 indexed books.

Endowment Libraries within the Mother Library

It includes the Sheikh Arif Hikmat Library (founded 1270 AH) with 4389 original manuscripts, and the Mahmudiya Library, the second most famous in Medina, containing 3314 rare manuscripts. It also houses school libraries like the Ihsaniya, Bashir Agha, Kili Naziri, Saqizli, and Qazniya schools. It also contains the libraries of the Ribats (hospices) such as the Ribat of Othman bin Affan and Ribat al-Jabarti.