Khalidi Library Annex

Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Khalidiyya Complex is a three-building complex which includes the main 13th century Mamluk building, a 15th century Mamluk Annex, and 18th-19th century Ottoman quarters. The complex is home to the largest private collection of Arabic manuscripts in Palestine, and one of the largest in the world. Spanning over 1000 years of history, the collection contains over 1200 titles, with many of its printed volumes from the 19th century and a massive archival corpus of family papers from the early 18th century. The Khalidiyya Complex is also historically significant, containing a prayer niche (mihrab) and the remains of Khawarizmian emir warriors from the 12-13th century. After the 1967 occupation, the complex was threatened with confiscation by the Israeli authorities and surrounding settlers. In response, the Friends of the Khalidi Library (FKL) was formed in 1988 as a 501 ( c ) (3) tax-exempt educational foundation to protect the library, garnering funds from family members, The Ford Foundation, UNESCO, The Dutch Government, The Arab Economic Fund in Kuwait, and others. With these funds, the FKL was able to completely renovate the library, refurbish and reequip it, and initiate environmental policies to preserve its holdings. can you add something on how to access the library and where is it located The Khalidiyya Complex is located in Tariq Bab al Silsilah, about 150 yards away from Bab al Silsilah, one of the main gates to al Haram al Sharif. The library is open to the public and can be accessed through a special pass from the Khalidi family. The library is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Individual and group visits welcome during opening times For individual or group guided tours, reserve in advance