Books: Kairouan, beacon of tolerance and an open sky museum

Tunis, March 5, 2009- As the city readies itself to celebrate the launch of festivities marking its proclamation as the “2009 Capital of Islamic Culture”, a new book, retracing Kairouan’s ancient history and its role as a beacon of Islamic tolerance, has just been published in Tunis.

The book entitled “ Kairouan , Phare Eternel de l’Islam” (Kairouan: Eternal beacon of Islam), showcases with a wealth of photographs by Mohamed Sakli, the city’s rich history and Islamic heritage. The book which is written by Mohamed Kerrou, is published by Apollonia Editions in Tunis.

It presents itself as a walk through the city where “we are all walkers both in space in time”, writes the author. The book invites the reader to enter a world where “life is buzzing, and an open sky museum.”

It is also replete with illustrious historical figures which have made the city, such as Kamla, who wove the city’s first carpet, Sidi Amor Abada, a master ironsmith, but also saints such as Sidi Abid Ghariani, without forgetting the city’s founder, Oqba Ibn Nafaa, who founded Kairouan in 670.

Kairouan (formerly Ifriqya) which is the first Islamic city in the Maghreb as well as its holiest city, became the centre of a brilliant civilization and a spiritual centre for Muslims of the region. It produced a number of scientists, reformist scholars such as the Imam Sahnoun, but also writers and poets.

The publication also retraces the main stages of the city’s Malekite theological school of thought which advocates religious moderation and tolerance.

Today, when tradition and modernity peacefully overlap under the city’s majestic archways, the book is an open invitation to visit or perhaps revisit such places as the traditional market place or souk, the Barrouta camel water well, the Three Door Mosque, the Aghlabide cisterns and the museums of Sidi Amor Abada and Sidi Abid El Ghariani.

Some 10 km south of the city, Rakkada’s Islamic Arts Museum, a small gem of museum will open its doors to the visitor. Naturally, a large section of the book is devoted to the city’s major monument, the Great Oqba Ibn Nafaa Mosque.

A stroll through time and space but also an hymn to a city which is a beacon of tolerant Islam, “Kairouan Phare Eternal de l’Islam” is a publication that is both timely and highly informative.

Photo shows Kairouan’s Aghlabid cisterns built under the Aghlabid dynasty (beginning of the 9th century) which were used to collect rain water from the surrounding hills.