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Libraries in Ajman from the beginning of the Twentieth Century until the Formation of the Union

major source of this library. Sheikh Ali was one of the founders of Ibn Taymiyah
Islamic Library in 1968, as part of his contribution to the dissemination of
Islamic studies and culture.

Until the early 1970s, Sheikh Ali’s library occupied a large space in his personal
Majlis in the eastern neighborhood, and included the standard works of Hanbali
Fiqh, Salafi (orthodox) doctrine, the Six Sihahs, and some Arabic lexicons. It was
dominated by the writings of Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, his disciple Ibn
Qayyim Al Jawziyah and Sheikh Al-Islam Mohammed bin ‘Abdul Wahhab.

Sheikh Ali transferred his library to his second home in Sha’biyat Lewarah in the
period 1975-1984, then to his third home in Sha’biyat Mushairif from 1984 to
2012, and finally to his new home in Al Jurf area.

In the last thirty years, his library has become a gathering place for distinguished
religious preachers and scholars. He was keen on educating attendees of his
Majlis. Consequently, he designated one day a week for Shari’a studies, especially
the Salafi doctrine, when one of the sheikhs would read, explain and comment
on the text, and answer questions raised by those present. However, Sheikh Ali’s
old age and recent ill health have prevented him from carrying on with these
lessons.

• Second: Public Libraries:
Prior to 1968, there were no public libraries in the Emirate of Ajman. That year,
however, Ajman experienced a quantum leap in the building of libraries, and
four libraries were opened: three public libraries and one school library.

1. Public Libraries in the Cultural Sports Clubs:

In the 1960s, the need for public libraries in the Emirate arose as a result of the
increasing number of educated people and their desire to have cultural centers that
provided them with access to and participation in cultural activities. The libraries
of sports clubs at the time were the nucleus of public libraries in the Emirate. They
aimed at providing an appropriate atmosphere for club members to read and develop
their intellectual abilities in all fields, and achieve harmony and balance between
body, mind and spirit, in accordance with the adage: “A sound mind is in a sound
body”.

Club libraries played an important educational, cultural and informative role at that
time; they were, truly, cultural hubs for talented individuals and those willing to learn
more, and a tool to communicate with the world through the printed media.

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