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manuscripts and books. Visitors to the RIBF were also invited to experience the

exhibition through an immersive, interactive virtual tour.

Rare Manuscripts and Books on Navigation and Travel

House of Wisdom showcased a collection of rare manuscripts and books that

highlighted the contributions of notable Arab explorers and navigators, including
Ahmad Ibn Majid and Ibn Battuta. Among the exhibits was a manuscript titled

“The Verses of Ibn Majid,” a rare collection of poems, verses, and letters by Ibn
Majid on maritime literature, offering significant scientific value due to its
previously unpublished poetic texts.

The exhibition also featured “Memorandum for Historians on the Innocence of
Ibn Majid,” a book authored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al
Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The book provides

documented evidence that exonerates Ibn Majid from claims that he assisted the
Portuguese in reaching and occupying India.

Also on display was a rare manuscript of Ibn Battuta’s “A Masterpiece to Those

Who Contemplate the Wonders of Cities and the Marvels of Traveling,”
documenting his 30-year journey across 44 countries. First printed in 1933 by

the Amiriya Press in Cairo, the two-volume work has been translated into
Portuguese, French, English, and partially into German.

The participation further strengthens the HoW’s efforts to enhance Sharjah's

international cultural presence and highlight Arab and Islamic heritage through
its evolving themes, including travelogues as a gateway to understanding
civilisations and fostering cultural dialogue.

https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/04/30/al013