Colloque scientifique à Alger sur le manuscrit d’Avicenne « Le canon de la médecine »
Summary of the Scientific Symposium on Avicenna’s "The Canon of Medicine"
A recent scientific symposium held in Algiers focused on Avicenna’s influential manuscript, "The Canon of Medicine," now recognized by UNESCO’s "Memory of the World" Register. The event highlighted the manuscript’s immense historical, scientific, and civilizational significance.
Importance and Historical Context
During the symposium at the National Library of Algeria, the library’s director, Mounir Behadi, emphasized the manuscript’s invaluable contribution to the history of medicine. He described it as an extraordinary document that embodies the evolution of medical practice during the Middle Ages. The manuscript’s significance is bolstered not only by its content but also by its association with its noted author, Muwaffaq al-Din Ibn al-Mutran, who served as the personal physician to Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (1138–1193).
Behadi remarked that the manuscript is not only a vital part of Algeria’s documentary heritage but also carries a broader historical and cultural weight. It serves as a point of pride and a vital link to the region’s rich intellectual history.
Scholarly Insights
Fatouma Ben Yahia, head of the manuscripts and rare books department at the library, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the manuscript’s reliability and scholarly importance. She pointed out that it is one of the most authentic versions of "The Canon of Medicine," having been revised by Ibn al-Mutran himself, which further affirms its credibility as a medical reference.
The symposium reaffirmed the necessity of preserving such historical documents, not only for Algeria but for the entire world, as they provide invaluable insights into the state of medicine and knowledge during Avicenna’s time.
UNESCO Recognition
Earlier this year, Algeria successfully nominated the fourth volume of "The Canon of Medicine" for inclusion in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. This recognition aims to highlight the manuscript’s significant scientific impact and bolster efforts to archive and preserve important cultural heritage.
Overall, the symposium served as a platform to celebrate and acknowledge the profound contributions of "The Canon of Medicine" to the fields of medicine and historical scholarship, reaffirming its place as a treasured artifact of human civilization.
