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On may 6, 2004, U.S. Ambassador Gail Dennise Mathieu presented electronic materials and equipment purchased with an ambassador's fund grant to IRSH – the Research Institute of Human Sciences of Niger, which is part of Abdou Moumouni University, the State university of Niger. The equipment consisted of computers, digital scanners, color printers, external hard drives, dvd rw drives, and other software and ancillary supplies. IRSH will use the equipment for copying and preserving its precious collection of sahelian arabic manuscripts, some of which are more than 500 years old. The donation had a great impact on both the university and the muslim community, i.e., the majority of the population, as the manuscripts are considered part of the nigerien heritage and are a valuable record of the religion and culture of their time. The presentation received widespread, very favorable press coverage.
The materials and equipment presented by Ambassador Mathieu to the researchers of IRSH on may 6, 2004, are intended for the electronic preservation and documentation of 14th and 15th century arabic manuscripts. The presentation was made possible by the funds given to the embassy under the auspices of the “ambassador's fund for cultural preservation" and will be of great use to the scholars. Given the harsh climate and the lack of air conditioning where the manuscripts are stored, many of them may be unreadable or may crumble into dust in a few more years.
These ancient manuscripts provide a unique and new perspective on african history. Nevertheless, although some important muslim countries have sought to buy the manuscripts, claiming that they would thus receive the preservation and care that is their due, they have not heretofore contributed to their preservation in situ. some of the press coverage made much of this fact and praised the U.S for its sensitivity and tolerance in providing this gift for the preservation and study of islamic artifacts. Post will work on providing other aid to this needy institution through its own small grant program and will foster this new contact.
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