How Timbuktu's manuscripts were smuggled to safety

BBC news ^ | 3 June 2013 | Naveena Kottoor

[KneelBeforeZod]

When Islamist rebels set fire to two libraries in Timbuktu earlier this year, many feared the city's treasure trove of ancient manuscripts had been destroyed. But many of the texts had already been removed from the buildings and were at that very moment being smuggled out of the city, under the rebels' noses.

"These manuscripts are really precious to us. They are family heirlooms. Our history, our heritage," says Dr Abdel Kader Haidara, owner of one of Timbuktu's biggest private libraries, containing manuscripts dating back to the 16th Century.

"In our family there have been generations and generations of great scholars, great astronomers, and we have always looked after these documents."

When Islamist rebels took over Timbuktu last year, looking after the documents began to look like an impossible task.

[tanuki]

Amazing story! As the future gets darker, we would be wise to remember Timbuktu’s example.

[Chainmail]

Heroic stuff! If our rich liberal philanthropists are looking for a place to throw charity funds, the new library building would be made to order.

'Cept they probably wouldn't want to offend the Islamists, would they?

[Average Al]

The world is getting to be like a zoo with the animals roaming free and the sane people in cages. While the media won't cover these Islamist atrocities we do have plenty of Zombie movie satires.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Let me get this straight. These Islamic manuscripts were saved from Islamist terrorists? Are these frebels simply barbarians?

[Ann Archy]

Muslims RUIN EVERYTHIN THEY TOUCH!!

There was a Muslim couple on our cruise ship the other and my stomach sank because wherever they go they CHANGE and RUIN GOOD THINGS!!