Islamic Manuscript Conferences: 2005 – 2012

First Islamic Manuscript Conference
Conservation, Cataloguing, Accessibility, Copyright and Digitisation

4-6 July 2005, King’s College, University of Cambridge

The Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation in association with the Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge will host a conference entitled The Islamic Manuscript: Conservation, Cataloguing, Accessibility, Copyright and Digitisation from 4-6 July 2005 at King’s College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

This conference will address some of the issues related to the conservation and accessibility of the immensely rich corpus of Islamic manuscripts to be found across the world in public and private collections. In the absence of comprehensive catalogues, the very existence of many manuscripts is a well-kept secret. In many parts of the world, lack of funding means that they are in a poor and deteriorating condition. However, even when manuscripts are well-preserved and catalogued, their rarity and fragility often present serious problems of access for scholars. It is the aim of this conference to assess the current state of Islamic manuscripts and to explore how modern technologies in general and digitisation in particular can assist in the conservation of manuscripts, render them more accessible to scholars and offer new tools for codicology and textual criticism.

Second Islamic Manuscript Conference
Establishing the Islamic Manuscript Association

7-9 August 2006, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge

Following the great success of the First Islamic Manuscript Conference last year, The Islamic Manuscript Association is delighted to announce that the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge will host the Second Islamic Manuscript Conference, entitled The Islamic Manuscript II: A Conference to Establish The Islamic Manuscript Association, from 7-9 August 2006 at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge.

The Second Islamic Manuscript Conference will open with a constitution signing ceremony, a general meeting, and a celebratory dinner on the first day. The remainder of the conference will be dedicated to presentations on those subjects with which TIMA is concerned: accessibility, cataloguing, conservation, copyright, and digitization.

Third Islamic Manuscript Conference
New Techniques and Technologies for Conservation and Digitisation

28 – 31 August 2007, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge

The conference featured research from different fields of study related to Islamic manuscripts. Manuscript projects from around the world were presented and new techniques and technologies for conservation and digitisation were discussed. On the last day of the conference there was a practical workshop followed by a visit to the Cambridge University Library. The conference was organised by The Islamic Manuscript Association and hosted by the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge.

The conference will feature research from different fields of study related to Islamic manuscripts. Manuscript projects from around the world will be presented and new techniques and technologies for conservation and digitisation will be discussed. Each of TIMA’s interest groups are preparing conference panels on cataloguing, conservation, digitization and publishing. The sub-committees leading these groups will discuss their work to date promoting best practice and standards in their fields. On the last day of the conference there will be a practical conservation workshop and a visit to Cambridge University Library.

Fourth Islamic Manuscript Conference
West African Islamic Manuscripts

6-9 July 2008, Queens’ College, University of Cambridge

The Islamic Manuscript Association is delighted to announce that the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge will host the Fourth Islamic Manuscript Conference from 6-9 July in Queens’ College, University of Cambridge.

This year, the conference will include a special panel discussing specific manuscript collections from around the world, and special attention will be paid to the state of Islamic manuscript collections in West Africa throughout the conference. The TIMA members’ AGM is planned to take place during the conference on Monday 7th July. TIMA Board and Sub-Committee will take place on 9th July.

Fifth Islamic Manuscript Conference
Access & Rights

24-26 July 2009, Christ’s College, University of Cambridge

The Islamic Manuscript Association is pleased to announce that the Fifth Islamic Manuscript Conference will be held at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, UK from 24-26 July 2009. It will be hosted by the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge.

The Fifth Islamic Manuscript Conference will specifically address the issue of access to manuscripts. Improving access to manuscripts through digitisation and electronic ordering and delivery systems whilst ensuring their proper long-term preservation is fundamental to the successful future study of the Islamic heritage. Presently, technologies are available that have the potential to transform the way manuscripts are studied; however, the access these technologies can allow is counterbalanced by collection holders’ concerns regarding their legal rights and the financial sustainability of their organisations. During the Fifth Islamic Manuscript Conference these vital issues will be discussed by our invited speakers and selected paper presenters.

The Sixth Islamic Manuscript Conference
Central Asian Islamic Manuscripts & Manuscript Collections

8-10 July 2010, Queen’s College, University of Cambridge

Organised by The Islamic Manuscript Association, in association with the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation, and the Centre of Islamic Studies.

The Centre of Islamic Studies granted a Codicology Scholarship to Dr Djamel Dilmi, assistant Professor, Qassim University Saudi Arabia to attend the Sixth Islamic Manuscript Conference.

Dr. Djamel Dilmi’s report:

It is now becoming evident that the skills involved in the cataloguing of manuscripts are gradually disap­pearing. Traditionally, these skills were passed down from master to pupil in the course of an apprentice­ship, which is becoming increasingly rare. The efforts of The Islamic Manuscript Association in organising workshops and conferences are highly appreciated.

I benefited enormously from spending time with scholars and experts in the field of manuscripts and cataloguing, and my special thanks go to Professor François Déroche, who has spent his life studying Islamic manuscripts. Over the years of my graduate and post-graduate research training, I have had the opportunity to be involved in a number of research projects in Islamic art and architecture. However, I believe that there is a great need for committed and active research to support the revival of Islamic heritage, both in architecture and in the art of the book.  Indeed, the goal of my career is to establish a research program in Islamic art and architecture. Attending this workshop will advance my research and support my aim to develop further insights and advances in calligraphy and the care and study of manuscripts as physical objects. The workshop’s lectures and practical training in handling manuscripts and related materials were invaluable.

The Seventh Islamic Manuscript Conference
Islamic Manuscripts in South and Southeast Asia

12-14 July 2011, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge

The Islamic Manuscript Association is pleased to announce that the Seventh Islamic Manuscript Conference will be held at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge from 12-14 July 2011. The Conference will be hosted by the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge.

The Eighth Islamic Manuscript Conference
The Science of Manuscripts and Manuscripts of Science

9-11 July 2012, Queen’s College, University of Cambridge

The Islamic Manuscript Association is pleased to announce that the Eighth Islamic Manuscript Conference will be held at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge from 9-11 July 2012. The Conference will be hosted in cooperation with the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation and the Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge.