the national museum:The National Museum, in cooperation with the National Library of Belarus, inaugurated today the "Book Culture of Belarusian Tatars" Exhibition.
According to Oman News Agency, the opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Mohammed Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs. The exhibition, which continues through 6 November 2026, presents unique examples of the manuscript heritage of the Tatars of Belarus from the holdings of the National Library of Belarus, highlighting the most prominent written legacy produced by Muslims that reflects their cultural and religious identity.
The exhibition comes within the framework of introducing the cultural diversity enjoyed by Belarus and highlighting examples of the contributions of Islamic communities in preserving and inheriting knowledge across generations. Vadim Gigin, General Director of the National Library of Belarus, emphasized the significance of this written heritage, noting its precious role in Belarusian history and its reflection of the exceptional legacy of the Tatars of Belarus.
Gigin also acknowledged the strong cultural ties between the Republic of Belarus and the Sultanate of Oman, underscoring their mutual respect for history and dedication to cultural preservation. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the National Records and Archives Authority and the National Museum in Oman, which includes a training program for restorers from Belarus, facilitating the exchange of expertise and enhancing preservation skills.
The exhibition features a collection of Holy Qurans dating from the 19th to the early 20th century, distinguished by the use of multiple languages such as Arabic, Turkish, Belarusian, and Polish, all recorded using the Arabic script. Additionally, it includes exegeses of the Qur'an and "Kitab" manuscript writings from the same period, documenting the transcription locations and copyists' names.
Another section of the exhibition showcases widely distributed books among the Tatars, such as "Hamail" prayer booklets from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, prepared in cities like Slonim and Minsk. The exhibition is not limited to religious texts but also includes a medical book and educational materials, illustrating the Tatars' broad use of manuscripts beyond religious contexts into education and daily life.
These manuscripts, written in a special Arabic-based alphabet, enabled Muslims in Belarus to accurately record the sounds of the Belarusian language. The National Library in Minsk, the largest in Belarus and a cultural landmark, supports these exhibitions with its vast collection and unique architectural design.
The exhibition also featured a lecture by Krystsina Yermak, highlighting the manuscript legacy of the Tatars of Belarus and the cultural and religious interactions in Eastern Europe over the centuries.