Papers Abstract mi 35 (Moscow). docx

RÉSUMÉS DES COMMUNICATIONS/ PAPERS ABSTRACTS
35^TH MELCOM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE,

27^TH-29^TH MAY 2013, MOSCOW

DAY 1 - Monday 27th May 2013
Session 1: Manuscripts of the Islamicate world in Russian collections

1. 
   From the experience of cataloging of Persian Manuscripts in the collection of Scientific Library of Kazan (Volga) Federal University
   

Alsu ARSLANOVA, Senior Researcher, Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of sciences, Department of rare books and manuscripts of the Kazan Federal University (Kazan, Russia)

Abstract: Persian manuscripts in the collection of Scientific Library of Kazan (Volga) Federal University amount to about 5-10% of the whole Oriental collection of the fund and chronologically cover a huge period - from the XIVth to the end of the XIXth century. Basically they present copies of works, known in other published catalogues and directories. Geographically, they belong to the following regions: the Volga region, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, etc. Thematically repertoire of the collection of Persian manuscripts of the collection is very diverse. There are the works on astrology, astronomy, mathematics, logic, medicine, theology (the doctrine and rituals of Islam, dogmatics, eschatology), religion and the Koran [tafsirs, the art of reading the Quran (tajwid) traditions (hadith), collections of prayers and their interpretations, stories of the prophets, religious ritual, Sufism], history, jurisprudence (fiqh), grammar and lexicography (dictionaries), linguistics, poetics and poetry, geography, politics, ethics, magic, etc. Many Persian manuscripts present copies of famous Persian writings of outstanding classics such as Farid al-Din 'Attar (1120-1229), Sa'di Shirazi (died 1292),' Abd ar-Rahman Jami (1414-1492) Hafiz (1325-1390), etc.

Recently the work of the brief description of Persian manuscripts included into inventory books was completed. The description was made in accordance with general principles adopted for compiling of catalogues of Persian and Tajik manuscripts of the Institute of Oriental Studies (Russia) based on a single-circuit form.

2. 
   The Tatar Manuscript Expeditions and the Mirasism Discourse
   

Alfrid BUSTANOV, PhD candidate, Amsterdam University (The Netherlands)

Abstract : The main question of this paper is how the large-scale collecting and study of Tatar written heritage was used in the Mirasism discourse during the late Soviet times and after the fall of the Soviet Union. How did the generation of the 1960s-80s (shestidesiatniki) manage to write about classical Islamic heritage as part of the history of Tatar people? What kind of interpretations did the scholars offer in order to avoid sensitive issues when dealing with Islamic contents of the books ? Which part of the wide range of literary heritage was actively used in publications and articulated in public academic discourse and which part remained unused, even not registered at the library? Manuscript expeditions at Kazan’ University opened the door into the world of Tatar book culture, revealed the centres of accumulation and spreading of knowledge. Only very limited amount of manuscripts out of several thousands was included into registers, identified and briefly described. Over the last ten years Usmanov’s disciple Alsu A. Arslanova conducted the systematic cataloguing of Persian part of University collection, but her registers cover only oldest collections without taking expedition materials into account. Meanwhile an academic cataloguing of all manuscripts at Kazan’ University is still an urgent task for the future.

3. 
   A new project to re-catalogue the Ethiopian manuscripts from the St. Petersburg collections
   

Ekaterina GUSAROVA, Librarian/PhD Candidate, Institute of Oriental Manuscripts / Russian National Library (St-Petersburg, Russia)

Abstract : The Ethiopian (Ge‘ez and Amharic) manuscripts constitute a substantial part of the St Petersburg Oriental manuscripts holdings (their number amounts up to 200 manuscripts). Their previous catalogues compiled by Boris A. Turayev in 1906 and Viacheslav M. Platonov in 1996 are sometimes inconsistent in terms of treatment of various parts of the Ethiopian manuscripts, normalization, etc. and as a result insufficient from the point of view of modern archeography. A new on-line catalogue of the St Petersburg Ethiopian holdings would clearly be a desideratum. The proposed project is based upon the methodology created by N. Serikoff for the Catalogue of the Christian Arabic manuscripts from the Institute of the Oriental Manuscripts (St Petersburg). The tripartite scheme (codicological description of a manuscript – its history – identification of work(s) included in it) has proven to be a success in a number of international projects dealing with Arabic manuscripts (Wellcome Library/WAMCP, Cambridge-Oxford/Fihrist, University Library/Leipzig). The preliminary part of the project includes the adaptation of the tripartite Ur-Scheme to the needs of the Ethiopian archeography and codicology and testing with the already existent software.

4. 
   Anonymous Sufi Judeo-Arabic Manuscripts from the Abraham Firkovich Collection of the National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg
   

Pavel BASHARIN, Associate Professor, Russian State University for the Humanities, Mardjani Foundation (Moscow, Russia)

Abstract : One of the most famous collections of Judeo-Arabic manuscripts is the collection of Abraham Firkovich placed in the National Library of Russia. This presentation examines three anonymous Judeo-Arabic manuscripts: Kitab al-sama’, Risala fi ʼl-tasawwuf, Waza’if al-murshid. These texts cover the practical aspects of the Sufi path (tariqa). The main topic of Risala fiʼl-tasawwuf is love of God. Waza’if al-murshid contains a list of duties for novices. These works provide a unique profile of the spiritual life of the Jewish communities in the Medieval Middle East in the 11-14th centuries and also broaden our view of the Sufi sources.

Session 2: Manuscripts of the Islamicate world

5. 
   The Dates and the Patrons. When was the St Petersburg Arabic Bible bound?
   

Serge FRANTSOUZOFF, Head of the Department of Near Eastern Studies (Institute of Oriental Manuscripts) / Professor of the Chair of Semitology and Hebrew Studies (St Petersburg State University, Russia). In cooperation with Lubov KRYAKINA (Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, St Petersburg) and Nikolaj SERIKOFF (Wellcome Library, London)

Abstract : The copy of the St Petersburg Bible (shelf-mark D 226) was donated to the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II by the Patriarch of Antioch Gregory Haddad in 1913 on the occasion of the tercentenary of the Ruling House of the Romanovs. It entered the Oriental Collections of the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts (formerly the Asiatic Museum and the Institute of Oriental Studies) in 1919. This copy was considered by the Russian scholars to be the oldest existent complete copy of the Bible in Arabic. Following the colophons they were dating it back to the AD 1238. The readers’ notes found in the codex, start, however, from AD 1538. The gap of ca. 300 years could not be adequately explained, notwithstanding with the efforts of the recent scholars, such as I. Kratchkovsky, G. Graf, etc. The authors of this communication argue that the copy remained unbound until the first quarter of the 16th century, and could not be used.

6. 
   Collection of Arabic Historical Documents in a Dagestani Jadid’s Library: an Attempt at a Catalogue
   

Vladimir BOBROVNIKOV, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)

Abstract : This paper examines the only manuscript collection of Caucasus Muslim modernists (jadids) that is preserved to nowadays in a private library in Dagestan. This library was gathered in the 1900s-1930s by the Dagestani scholar, journalist and madrasa teacher ‘Ali al-Qhumuqi from the Lak village of Kumukh more known under the name of Ali Kaiaev (1878-1943). It includes hundreds of letters, legal resolutions (ittifaqat) and historical notes (tawarikh) dating back from the fifteenth through the twentieth century, and composed in Arabic, Persian and Caucasian languages in the East Caucasus. To date his collection was not yet described and introduced into the research use. Investigation of these materials sheds light not only on what really happened in the region in the late pre-modern and early modern periods. It also allows shows us historical Islamic discourse of jadid modernists on the past of their peoples they attempted to rewrite in a modern national dimension.

7. 
   Azerbaijan manuscripts in the Vatican Apostolic Library
   

Farid ALEKBARLI, Scientific Director of the (Baku, Azerbaijan)

Abstract : In 2010-2012, the author of the present paper performed the research work in Vatican Apostolic Library of Holy Roman Church, and discovered a number of medieval manuscripts which deal with history, culture and literature of Azerbaijan. This list include the manuscript books of such scholars and poets as Bahmanyar al-Azerbaijani (died 1067), Nizami Ganjavi (1141−1209), Imadaddin Nasimi (1369–1417), Muhammad Fuzuli (1483–1556), Molla Panah Vagif (1717-1797) and others, written in Azeri and Ottoman Turkish, Arabic and Persian. As a result of the present study, a total of 60 medieval works related with Azerbaijan including very rare and unique manuscripts were discovered in the Vatican Apostolic Library.

DAY 2 - Tuesday 28th May 2013
Session 3: Building and exploiting digital resources



1. The Brill Online Islam Package as a Research Tool.

Katherine VAN VLIET-LEIGH, Acquisitions Editor Middle East, Islam and African Studies, Brill Academic Publishers (Leiden, The Netherlands)

Abstract : The workshop is a general introduction to and a live demonstration on how to use Brill's Middle East, Islam and African Studies online products on the new platforms.
2. FRBR data model and its application in the BnF to build bridges between cultures.

Vincent BOULET, Expert on authority data for Slavic and Oriental languages, chairman of Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) council, Bibliothèque nationale de France (Paris, France)

Abstract : The Middle East collections, as the other collections, are often scattered in various catalogues and digital resources, which are hardly visible on the Web. So, it’s hard to find them. For instance, the Bibliothèque nationale de France (the French national library) has two catalogues: « BnF-Catalogue général » (“BnF main catalogue”) for description in MARC and « BnF-Archives et manuscrits » for description in EAD (Encoded Archival Description). To these we can add the digital library Gallica, virtual exhibitions and the database for illuminated manuscripts Mandragore. Taking into account the mediaeval translations (into Hebrew or Latin for example) and Western commentaries complexifies this task even more. To resolve this problem, libraries have developed a data model focused on the notion of work: the FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records). In order to implement that data model, on the one hand, and to make BnF data more visible in the Web, the BnF has launched thedata.bnf.fr project, a first version of which has been published on July 2011. The FRBR data model and thedata.bnf.fr project make the works more available, without rewriting catalogues. A work-oriented data model, which gather each manuscript, edition and digitalized version whatever its language, builds bridges between cultures.
3. A new tool for creating subject headings for works in Arabic (project)

Nikolaj SERIKOFF, Asian Collections Librarian, Wellcome Library (London, UK)

Abstract : The system of subject headings (i. e. a controlled vocabulary for use in bibliographic records) is no doubt a robust and practical tool. Nevertheless the subject headings (in English) can not always adequately reflect the content of a works, especially written in languages other than English as well as the views of the authors of these works. It has been made an attempt to compose an alternative thesaurus compatible with the existent subject headings as found in the OCLC. This thesaurus is based on the bibliographical parts of the mediaeval Arabic works, i.e. tahmids, ibtida’s, etc. A sophisticated system has been used to link them with the already accepted subject headings as used in the OCLC.

Session 4: Digitization projects: aims and methods
4. Electronic Publication of Muslim Manuscripts from the Library of St.Petersburg State University.

Alexander MATVEEV, Research Fellow, Faculty of Asian and African Studies, St.Petersburg State University (Russia)

Abstract : The purpose of the paper is to present projects of electronic publication of 2 major Muslim (mostly Arabic) Manuscripts collections in the Library of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St.Petersburg State University. An electronic publication of the Mss. collection of Sheikh al-Tantawi (1810-1861) is mostly completed, thus it will be possible to make presentation of his collection. The collection of the first Dean of the Faculty A.K.Kazem-bek (1802-1870) is under preparation. The second, in fact even more important, objective of the paper is to talk about principles of electronic publication of the Mss. collections in general, using the experience received by our team in course of working with the above SPbU Library collections. We consider the MELCom International Conference as the best place to discuss general principles for publishing Arabic script Mss., with a view to develop internationally accepted standards for such publications in some reasonable near future.
5. Imperative and Impact - on the example of the Cambridge Qur`an Project

Yasmin FAGHIHI, Head of Middle Eastern Collections, Cambridge University Library (Cambridge, UK)

Abstract: Cambridge University Library holds one of the most important–and yet least known– collections of early Qur’ānic fragments (2nd -4th Cent. Hijra). These manuscripts are being made accessible to researchers as part of the Cambridge Digital Library. This presentation will focus on the challenges of curating digital collections and the potential impact of “open access" to research, based on the example of the Cambridge Qur’an project.
6. Digitisation of rare printed books in the Arabic script

Geoffrey ROPER, Independent researcher and consultant (Surbiton, UK)

Abstract : Many collections of Islamic manuscripts have now been, or are being, digitised and made available online. By contrast rare printed books, of the 19th century and earlier, have not been put online to the same extent nor in a systematic manner. Nevertheless, they do appear in some databases, such as those of general book collections, exhibitions or occasionally as appendixes to MSS collections. This paper attempts a survey of some of what is available.

Session 5: Cataloguing practices and collections development policies



7. Quality Assurance Standards for Arabic Electronic Cataloging: The Zayed University Experience, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Muneer ABU BAKER, Senior Librarian / Associate Professor, Zayed University (Dubai, UAE)

Abstract : The paper is aimed to discuss the Zayed University methods of cataloging Arabic materials by creating Arabic script bibliographic records using the Millennium Integrated Library System. The paper discusses the standards used to assure quality Arabic cataloging taking into consideration the special characteristics of the Arabic language. It also justifies the need for creating high quality records as Zayed University library is a contributor to two major bibliographic utilities, OCLC and LIWA (UAE Higher Education Library Consortium.

8. Development and evaluation of the AUB Middle Eastern collection

Mariette ATALLAH, Head, collection development and Acquisitions Dept., American University of Beirut (Lebanon)

Abstract : The paper provides an overview of the selection and evaluation process of the Middle Eastern studies books collection at the American University of Beirut in Arabic and Western languages. Policy and procedures of this collection will be highlighted, along with an attempt to introduce bibliometrics to selection and collection evaluation process.

9. Developing an international information resource on Islamic Bioethics

Stephan SEEGER, Librarian, Georgetown University in Qatar (Doha, Qatar)

Abstract : This presentation will describe a research project on Islamic Bioethics which is continuously being carried out by Georgetown University in Qatar in cooperation with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics in Washington, DC. Starting with an overview of the main phases of the project, in relation to the underlying QNRF [Qatar National Research Fund] grants, the identification process, bibliographical description within the project’s online database and provision of its resources to scholars will be illustrated; followed by a perspective on the first Encyclopedia of Islamic Bioethics.

DAY 3 - Wednesday 29th May 2013
Session 6: Maghrebi collections

1. 
   Rare books at Emir Abdelkader University library: a unique collection
   

Azzedine BOUDERBANE (Professor), Kamel BOUKERZAZA (Lecturer), Nadjia GAMOUH (Professor), Teboura BENKAID-KESBA (Lecturer), Institute of Library Science, University of Constantine II (Algeria)

Abstract : The Emir Abdelkader university library in Constantine possesses important private collections consisting of diverse documents belonging to eminent scientific personalities: Cheikh kheireddine, Cheikh El Hocine, Cheikh Nacer El Nouaimi, Cheikh El Wahrani… These collections were offered to the university library by the families of these Algerian personalities. Among these collections, we intend to highlight that of rare books which is varied, multidisciplinary and peculiar. These rare books were printed in the 18th century in various Arab countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria… The processing of this collection and its exploitation by researchers will be portrayed. Photos of these rare books will be presented to show the value of this unique collection.

2. 
   Le traitement des manuscrits orientaux à la bibliothèque nationale de Tunisie : techniques et normalisation
   

Tarek OUERFELLI, Higher Institute of Documentation of Tunis (Tunisia).

Résumé: Le fonds manuscrit conservé à la Bibliothèque Nationale de Tunisie compte près de 40000 titres, regroupés en 24000 volumes. Ce fonds manuscrit illustre la production intellectuelle et savante de plus de 14 siècles de civilisation arabe et musulmane couvrant plusieurs domaines de la connaissance : religion, littérature, médecine, musique, etc. Ce fonds a des particularités par rapport aux fonds traditonnels dans les bibliothèques (ouvrages, périodiques). Ainsi, nous postulons que ce type de fonds exige un traitement se basant sur des techniques spécifiques. Telle est la réflexion que nous avançons dans ce travail à travers duquel nous allons exposer les techniques de traitement documentaire du fonds manuscrit à la bibliothèque nationale de Tunisie ainsi que les règles utilisées pour sa description et son indexation. Nous concluons notre travail sur le projet de numérisation de ce fonds.

Abstract: Manuscripts description at the National Library of Tunisia: techniques and standards

The manuscript collection preserved at the National Library of Tunisia comprises nearly 40,000 titles, grouped into 24,000 volumes. This collection illustrates the intellectual and scholarly production of over 14 centuries of Arab and Muslim civilization and covers several areas of knowledge: religion, literature, medicine, music, etc. This fund is distinct from the traditional funds in libraries (books, magazines). Thus, we postulate that such funds require treatment based on specific techniques. This is the reflection we are advocating. Through this paper, we will outline the description and indexing processing of manuscripts in the National Library of Tunisia and the rules used for this practice. Our work ends with the project of digitization of these manuscripts.

3. 
   La calligraphie maghrébine dans les Corans conservés à la bibliothèque nationale du Royaume du Maroc.
   

Nouzha BENSAADOUN (Head of Manuscripts Section, National Library of The Kingdom of Morocco)

Résumé: Lors de cette intervention seront présentés les différents styles calligraphiques des Corans manuscrits de la BNRM et leur définitions:

- Le coufique écrit sur parchemin du 2ème siècle au 5ème siècle de l’hégire;

- Al-mabssut (dite “Calligraphie des sultans”) écrit dans les anciens textes du 5ème siècle jusqu'à l’époque Alawite ;

- Al-mojawhar écrit sur les archives royales et sur les corans des bibliothèques de l’élite du Maroc ;

- At-tulut pour la décoration des cadres qui portent les noms des sourates et les feuillets tapis ;

- d’autres types de calligraphies intégrant d’autres styles des zones rurales Sahariennes ou bien montagneuses ;

Des exemples de calligraphies de manuscrits numérisés illustreront cette présentation.

- Calligraphie des Corans anciens

- Calligraphie des manuscrits des sultans qui ont régné le Maroc

- Calligraphie des Corans de régions rurales.

Abstract: Ms. Bensaadoun addresses at this meeting the different types of Moroccan calligraphy through examples from the manuscripts holdings at the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco: qufic, mabsut, mujawhar, tuluth, and other variants integrating rural styles of calligraphy coming from the Saharian or mountainous regions.

Session 7: Turkish collections

4. Ottoman archive documents in BULAC Library

Francis RICHARD, Scientific Director of the BULAC (Paris, France)

Abstract : There is in the former collection of the library of the School of Langues orientales in Paris a large collection of unexploited Turkish documents dealing with the teaching at the School between 1750 and 1870, with the French drogmans activities, who are important for the study of diplomatic and commercial relations of the Sublime Porte with Europe, and the life and activities of the former students of the school who became active in Middle East. We will present the current inventory work and perspectives concerning exploitation of this collection.

5. The library of the Orient-Institut Istanbul and its special research collections

Astrid MENZ, Head Librarian of the Orient-Institut (Istanbul, Turkey)

Abstract: The library of the Orient-Institut Istanbul was founded as an extension of the library of the Orient-Institut Beirut in the 1987. Since 2006 the two libraries are developing independently of each other. The library of the OII was established as a scientific research library with emphasis on the study of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey in all aspects (linguistics, history, literature and social sciences) and of the Turkic peoples, their languages and literatures outside of Turkey. The contribution aims at giving a general overview over the library and its services with a special emphasis on its acquisition policy and the development of its special collections.

6. Unveiling Turkish manuscripts at the BnF

Sara YONTAN, Curator of Turkish Collections, Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Paris, France

Abstract: Much has been said about the printed Turkish holdings of the BnF which have joined the royal collections from the very start, as early as the first books left the press in Constantinople and as late as current acquisitions. Only a few specialists know however about the Turkish manuscripts which are part of a very rich Oriental collection in this library.

This presentation aims at giving some clues to help find out more about these documents, to search information in the specific catalogues and to enjoy from the various library services provided by the BnF, both on the spot and via Internet. If much remains to be done to render content as well as assistance easily accessible, hopefully remarks and queries from the floor will lead to improve the offer.

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Résumés des communications/ Papers Abstracts

35^th MELCom International Conference, 27^th-29^th May 2013, MOSCOW