A state-of-the art laboratory for the restoration and conservation of historic books, documents and manuscripts was inaugurated at the Center for Documents, Manuscripts and Bilad al-Sham Studies on Tuesday, April 3rd.
The laboratory was established and equipped with the support of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) in consistent with international standards.
Established at the cost of USD 200,000, the laboratory is to offer a variety of services including the disinfection and chemical treatment of archival documents, and the repair and renovation of old documents, maps and manuscripts.
The inauguration was attended by UJ President Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, OFID Director General Suleiman Al-Herbish, and President of the Jordanian Arabic Language Academy Prof. Khalid Al-Karaki.
On a related note, the Center and OFID signed a memorandum of cooperation under which OFID will provide USD 50,000 to help fund a project aimed at the restoration, digitization and analysis of the Arab and ottoman records of the Jerusalem Shari`a Court (1529 – 1982).
Prof. Mohammad-Adnan Al-Bakhit, the Center's director, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the support which not only serves scholars and historians in Jordan but also in the whole Arab world.
For his part, Al-Harbash reaffirmed OFID’s commitment to Palestine through supporting projects and programs aimed at strengthening the resilience and living standards of the Palestinian people.