DHAHRAN: Since Ramadan is upon us, Arab News ventured to the Ithra Library at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in Dhahran, known as Ithra, both spaces designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snohetta, known for iconic projects like the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt.
Up on the fourth floor of the architectural marvel at Ithra that houses 360,000 physical books — 60 percent of which are in Arabic and the rest in English with a curated selection of titles in other languages dedicated to linguistic learning — the collection offers titles on numerous topics. There are also digital books available and plenty of places to sit and flip through pages.
It is widely known that the auspicious first word that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad was “iqra” or “read.” This occurred in the Cave of Hira, where the Angel Gabriel appeared and commanded the Prophet to recite. Reading is a pillar in acquiring knowledge and thus the perfect activity this month.
It is also noted that in Surah Al-Baqarah, it states that Ramadan was the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, hence its emphasis on most Muslims attempting to read it during the holy month.
Fittingly, the first of the Ithra Library’s 51 columns welcomes visitors to the space with a phrase from the Qur’an on the infinity of knowledge.
