The Ministry of Culture and Francophonie and the Higher Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, aimed at safeguarding and promoting the country’s ancient Islamic manuscripts.
The ceremony took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Abidjan-Plateau, marking a historic collaboration between state authorities and religious custodians.
“Today’s signing seals a sacred alliance between the Republic and the guardians of our spiritual heritage. It marks the beginning of a great adventure: saving the handwritten treasures of Ivorian Islam from oblivion,” said Minister Françoise Remarck.
She stressed that the initiative represents the convergence of knowledge and spirituality, reflecting a shared responsibility to transmit this heritage to future generations and highlight the depth of Ivorian Islamic history.
“These parchments and calligraphed texts are not just paper,” the minister added.
“They represent the memory of scholars, the wisdom of ancestors and the age-old links that unite Ivory Coast to the Islamic world.”
COSIM President Cheikh Aïma Diakité welcomed the partnership, describing it as a commitment to preserving a living memory of Islamic spirituality, science, and culture.
The initiative will focus on hundreds of manuscripts and artifacts dating from the 15th to 19th centuries, currently threatened by time, climate, and insufficient conservation methods. The Zanzan district in the Gontougo region has been selected as the pilot area for the project.
Key actions will include inventorying and digitizing collections, restoring damaged works, training local conservation experts, and creating a virtual library accessible to the public. The roadmap foresees manuscript identification in November 2025, fundraising in December, and the start of digitization work in February 2026.
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