(19 Apr 2016) LEAD IN:
A library in Fes is home to some of the most rare and unique manuscripts in the Arab world.
Documents dating back to the 9th century can be found at al-Qarawiyyin library which is currently under restoration.
STORY-LINE:
Within the walls of Morocco's University of al-Qarawiyyin library lies a treasure trove of historic documents.
Abdelfattah Bougchouf, the library's conservator, carefully examines 'Muqadimmah' by Ibn Khaldun.
The 14th century masterpiece is one of the earliest histories of the pre-modern world.
It has recently returned to al-Qarawiyyin library after six months on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
A 9th century Quran is another of the precious books held in the archives.
"This is one of the most important libraries because it hosts a collection of important texts that are unique in their rarity, most of which you cannot find anywhere except for this library," says Bougchouf.
This is one of the oldest libraries in the world.
Al-Qarawiyyin mosque was built in the 9th century and became a university in the 10th century.
In 1940 the complex was expanded to allow foreigners and non-Muslims access to the manuscripts by creating a separate entrance to the library.
Before that, the only access was via the mosque. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter al-Qarawiyyin mosque to this day.
Slowly, the documents are being digitised to allow even more researchers and students to view the texts - but only around 20 percent of the papers are currently available in electronic form.
Abdelmajid El-Marzi, al-Qarawiyyin mosque imam, says the collection was "gifted and endowed by a number of Moroccan sultans and philanthropists".
A 12th century manuscript by Ibn Tufail stands out for its rarity - and its unusual style.
"You cannot find this text anywhere except in the Qarawiyyin library. In it, Ibn Tufail outlines medical conditions, from the head to the feet, in a poetic manner," says Bougchouf.
The library is guarded by security doors, humidity controls and cameras.
But more work is being done to keep the archives safe.
Restoration of the building is underway, including fixing a plumbing problem that threatened to drench the rare manuscripts in sewage water.
The library is currently closed to allow the work to take place.
King Mohammed VI is expected to inaugurate the opening in the coming months.
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