The Al-Karkari Institute invited to Harvard's Houghton Library

A new chapter of university collaboration opened on 10 February, when Shaykh Sidi Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari, representing the Al-Karkari Institute for Sufi Studies (in the university setting), was invited by Harvard’s prestigious Houghton Library.

During the visit, rare manuscripts were shown, including Bibles centuries old, precious Qur’anic texts and writings of the Sufi master Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili dating from the 14th century, such as the Hizb al-Bahr and collections of his sayings. In a gesture of generosity and esteem, Mr Michael Austin and Ms Mary Haegert presented to the Institute’s representatives the library’s latest acquisitions of miniature Qur’anic manuscripts.

After the visit, Shaykh Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari gave an overview of the history of the manuscripts shown and of the symbolism they convey in their design, structure and methods of production. He then gave a lecture on the metaphysics of writing, language, speech and letters, exploring how these elements shape the spiritual dimension of human expression.

We thank Harvard’s Houghton Library for its warm invitation and hospitality, and we hope that this exchange will serve as a basis for future collaborations. The Shaykh and the Al-Karkari Institute are convinced that such efforts help revive the spirit of scholarship and sharing within the university world, as well as the production of knowledge.