Yemen Monitor – Newsroom:
The Mahri Language Center for Studies and Research at Al-Mahrah University (a public institution) held a panel discussion on Wednesday in Al-Ghaydah, under the theme: “Mahri Manuscripts and Documents: A Heritage Worth Protecting and Preserving.” The event gathered a number of experts, researchers, cultural advocates, and prominent social figures.
In his address, Salem Abdullah Nimer, Secretary-General of the Local Council in Al-Mahrah, emphasized that Mahri manuscripts and documents are a fundamental part of the governorate’s historical and cultural legacy. He praised the center’s ongoing efforts to safeguard this heritage and reaffirmed the local authority’s full support, under the direction of Governor Mohammed Ali Yasser.
Adel Karama Meili, Vice President of Al-Mahrah University for Student Affairs, conveyed greetings from University President Anwar Mohammed Kalshat, and lauded the center’s pioneering role and its achievements at local, regional, and international levels.
At the opening of the event, Mohammed Abdulaziz Kalshat, Deputy Director of the Mahri Language Center, welcomed the attendees and explained that the session was part of preparatory activities for a major upcoming project focused on documenting and preserving Mahri manuscripts and documents. He called on the people of Al-Mahrah to engage actively in this national initiative.
The session, moderated by Dr. Amer Fael Balhaf, University President’s Advisor and Head of the Center’s Research and Studies Unit, covered eight key themes, including:
- The distinction between manuscripts and documents
- The origins and development of Arabic documentation
- Types, materials, and ornamentation of manuscripts
- Their historical and cultural significance
- The challenges facing their preservation
- The threats of extinction facing Mahri manuscripts and their underlying causes
Mohammed Hussein Balhaf, Director of the Manuscripts and Documents Department at the center, presented a research paper detailing the cultural and historical value of these texts. He also showcased rare Mahri manuscripts, some of which are preserved in libraries and universities across the Arab world and internationally. The center’s library has recently received copies of several of these works.
The session featured robust discussions and valuable contributions, culminating in a series of recommendations, most notably:
- Offering financial incentives to those assisting with manuscript collection
- Increasing public awareness through media, academics, and social figures
- Learning from international best practices in manuscript preservation
- Reaching out to external institutions that may hold Mahri manuscripts
- Strengthening coordination with the Antiquities Office and related authorities
- Encouraging media professionals and influencers to support and promote the project
This panel marks another step in the Mahri Language Center’s ongoing efforts to preserve endangered cultural heritage and reinforce local identity for future generations.
