National Day of Gambia

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18th February: National Day of Gambia

A brief about Gambia’s Islamic written heritage

Among the 106 countries included in the “World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts” (the flagship project undertaken by Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation between the years 1989 – 1994) was Gambia.

Gambia’s Islamic written heritage was surveyed in 1993, by Baba Yunus Muhammad.

Baitul Salam Mosque is the largest Ahmadiyya mosque in Talingding in Gambia

This survey brought to light a wealth of information about the Country’s collections of Islamic manuscripts, by indicating: the cities and libraries that hold these manuscripts, the approximate number of manuscripts within each collection, the subjects and languages in which they are written, the conditions in which they are and whether they have been catalogued and studied, the particular significant manuscripts which they contain, etc.

According to this Survey, Gambia has just over 1,490 manuscripts, held in 16 private libraries. These libraries have mostly been established between 1900 – 1999, and their collections vary between 200 and 600 manuscripts.

Gambian traditional dance.
Source note:
This information was published in the following book:
“World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts” (English version), 1997-2002, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, London, UK, Vol. 4, pp. 135-146.

Please note that some of the images used in this online version might not be part of the published version of this article within the respective book.

Disclaimer:
The data figures, the names, and other details are overall reflecting those of the time when the Survey was conducted.

Important note:
The Foundation is striving to update these details in progress; and, Your help in this regard would be much appreciated.

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