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In the heart of Mauritania’s Sahara, 67-year-old Saif Islam is fighting to save Chinguetti—once hailed as Africa’s “city of libraries”—from being swallowed by desert sands. Once a hub for Islamic scholarship and trade, this UNESCO World Heritage site now faces dwindling tourism and advancing dunes that threaten its centuries-old manuscripts. Islam, custodian of the Al Ahmed Mahmoud Library, works tirelessly to preserve these priceless works of science, poetry, and faith. With just 12 family-run libraries remaining, local support has waned, even with foreign aid and restoration efforts. Yet Islam remains determined, urging Mauritanians to reclaim pride in their heritage before this ancient center of learning fades into the desert.
The Guardian