Irmeli Perho Libros

Focusing on the extensive collection of Arabic manuscripts at the Royal Library in Copenhagen, this volume details 356 manuscripts, including 47 newly described works. The catalog spans acquisitions from the seventeenth century to modern times, showcasing evolving scholarly interests. Notable pieces include ninth-century Qur'an fragments in Kufi script and a 1905 collection of Sufi texts. Designed for scholars, it features over 700 illustrations, enhancing the identification and study of these significant manuscripts.

The work offers an in-depth exploration of three significant collections of Persian manuscripts and lithographic prints housed in the Royal Library of Copenhagen. It highlights the historical and cultural importance of these artifacts, providing insights into Persian literature, art, and history through detailed descriptions and analyses. The two-volume set serves as a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Persian culture and bibliophiles alike.

Focusing on Arabic manuscripts, this catalog details the Royal Library, Copenhagen's collection, specifically highlighting 94 manuscripts and 3 lithographed prints from the early 20th century. Most items originate from the 19th century, with the earliest dating back to 1504 CE. The collection predominantly features texts on Twelver Shi'i law and legal theory, alongside significant works on Arabic grammar and rhetoric, as well as various Sunni and Shi'i theological texts, showcasing the rich diversity of Islamic literature.

The 15th century historian Ibn Taghribirdi was one of the sons of Mamluks who succeeded in building a scholarly career. His knowledge of the language, customs and values of the Mamluk court allowed him to present the actions of the ruling elite in a manner that often differed from the reports of his scholarly colleagues. The present article examines the picture that Ibn Taghribirdi painted of the rulers Shajar al-Durr, Aybak and Qutuz. His presentation is contrasted to the portrayals provided by his two teachers Badr al-Din al-'Ayni and al-Maqrizi. Irmeli Perho is Docent in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Helsinki. She is teaching Islamic subjects and Arabic language. She has previously published ”Climbing the ladder: social mobility in the Mamluk period,” in Mamluk Studies Review, 15/1 (2011) and ”Ibn Qayyim al-Ğawziyyah’s Contribution to the Prophet’s Medicine,” in A Scholar in the Shadow: Essays in the Legal and Theological Thought of Ibn Qayyim al-Ğawziyyah, ed. Caterina Bori & Livnat Holtzman (2010).