Intensive Islamic Codicology Short Course 2011
5-9 September 2011
University of Cambridge
The Islamic Manuscript Association, together with the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation, Cambridge University Library, the Centre of Islamic Studies and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge, and Pembroke College, announces the fifth annual Introduction to Islamic Codicology short course, which will be held from 5-9 September 2011 at the University of Cambridge.
The Centre of Islamic Studies granted Codicology Scholarship to Dr Amra Mulovic to attend the Fifth Intensive Islamic Codicology Short Course.
Report by Dr Amra Mulovic
University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies and to its Director Professor Yasir Suleiman for granting me a scholarship to attend an intensive course on Islamic Codicology. This took place in Cambridge from September 5th to 9th 2011 and was extremely well organized by The Islamic Manuscript Association (TIMA).
Given that manuscripts in Oriental languages represent an essential part of Bosnian cultural heritage, I believe that this workshop will help me develop research activities in cataloguing, describing and studying the works of Bosnian authors scattered around the world.
We benefited from inspirational lectures by Professor François Déroche, as well as lectures by other scholars and experts in different aspects of studying manuscripts. Attending the hands-on sessions in the University of Cambridge’s central library and handling the incredibly beautiful, unique and precious manuscripts was inspiring. This invaluable experience expanded my knowledge, developing my interest from the content of the manuscript to the art of the book, i.e. the entire process of creation of a manuscript.
The invitation came after my participation in the conference “Cambridge in Sarajevo – Perspectives on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies” organized by the Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge and the University of Sarajevo on 9-13 May 2011. Given that Islamic manuscripts were the main field of my research activities previously and continue to be a significant area of my scholarly interests, I felt truly grateful for this opportunity to expand my knowledge.
By giving me this scholarship, the Centre of Islamic Studies offered me a chance to meet members of the academic community with common interests and get to know them in the context of interactive discussion. This was a splendid opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions, become aware of different perspectives and interests, make new friends and colleagues, and last but not least to enjoy the congeniality and hospitality of the organizers in a wonderful research atmosphere and learning environment. I would like to thank the Centre and Professor Suleiman once again for the invitation, and TIMA Director Mr. Davidson MacLaren and his colleagues for their hard work and warm hospitality.