• Saif Islam protects Chinguetti’s historic libraries and rare manuscripts
• Desert sands and fewer tourists after COVID increase challenges

Saif Islam, 67, is working to safeguard the ancient libraries of Chinguetti, a desert town in Mauritania that flourished in the 13th century as a caravan stop and later became a center for Islamic scholarship

The town, renowned for its historical and cultural significance, now faces threats from encroaching desert sands

Islam, director of the Al Ahmed Mahmoud Library Foundation, aims to preserve rare manuscripts and encourage both locals and visitors to value the town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996

Currently, 12 family-run libraries remain operational, housing thousands of manuscripts covering the Quran, sciences, mathematics, medicine, poetry, and law, some dating back to the 11th century

These libraries face funding shortages due to fewer tourists after the COVID pandemic and increasing desertification, making Islam’s work with international organizations even more crucial

Chinguetti is in danger, Islam said. It needs everyone’s participation to preserve its ancient legacy before it disappears under the sands