If anybody wasn’t aware, already, about their attitude to knowledge, learning etc this IFLA post makes the point clear….
A summary of ISIS activity in Iraq has just been circulated. A link to the document can be found at the bottom of the text
The ISIS activities that are related to libraries and other information services can be summarised as follows [with my explanatory commentary in brackets]:
– According to ISIS law, libraries should not exist and must be demolished.
– ISIS wants to diversify and expand its financial resources to include the lucrative trade of antiquities. [This could be assumed to include the sale of rare books and manuscripts.]
– Mosul museum, the second large museum in Iraq, has been occupied by ISIS and its staff cannot enter to check its valuable collections. [The Museum Library was established about 50 years ago, and has a substantial collection.]
– Churches and monasteries were either burned or, when occupied, ISIS stole the contents. [Many of the monasteries in northern Iraq are known to have retained collections of ancient manuscripts]
– Mosques and shrines were destroyed by explosions and bulldozers. [These may also have had collections of ancient manuscripts]
– Government buildings have been destroyed by ISIS. [It is not clear whether these include the provincial records and archives centre, but it could be assumed that some recent government records have been lost.]
– ISIS has taken over public libraries in Ninawa and Diyala provinces. [These must be assumed to be under threat of destruction.]
Professor Ian Johnson,
Chief Editor, IFLA/De Gruyter series: ‘Global Studies in Libraries and Information’
Aberdeen,
Great Britain
From: Charles E. Jones [mailto:cejo(at)uchicago.edu]
Sent: 12 September 2014 12:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Iraqcrisis] IRAQ’S HERITAGE IS FACING A NEW WAVE OF DESTRUCTION
IRAQ’S HERITAGE IS FACING A NEW WAVE OF DESTRUCTION By Abdulameer al Hamdani Archaeologist Iraq Heritage Senior Fellow 8th September 2014 Iraq Heritage Report
Read it here:
http://tinyurl.com/q9k2uwj
