The Subtle Pleasures of Hidden Treasures: Thoughts on Arabic Manuscripts in American Libraries

Many Americans may be surprised to learn that thousands of Arabic manuscripts are preserved in a small number of university and public libraries in the United States. Regrettably, very few of these manuscripts have been studied, in large part because most academics in the field of Arabic and Islamic Studies rely upon published Arabic books that are easier to use and access. Furthermore, American-based Islamicists rarely engage in the laborious process of producing critical editions of Arabic texts on the basis of manuscripts. So what should we do with these hidden treasures?

This talk will showcase several Arabic manuscripts held by the Princeton University Library and show how they can enrich our understanding of Islamic civilization. It will also discuss the importance of manuscripts for the study of the Zaydi Islamic tradition in Yemen. The audience will be encouraged to suggest ways academics and the public can benefit from these valuable texts. 

Dr. Scott Lucas is Associate Professor of Islamic Studies in the School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has published articles and a book on Sunni hadith and law, as well as a two-volume translation of selections from al- Tabari's famous Qur'an commentary. Since 2016, Professor Lucas has been conducting research on the Zaydi intellectual traditions in Yemen, based primarily on Arabic manuscripts. His research has been supported by an ACLS Fellowship and membership in the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. 

This event is organized and moderated by Dr. Souad T. Ali, Council of Arabic and Islamic Studies Founding Chair