In a momentous cultural milestone, the late Mervat Ahmed Yahya’s priceless collection of books has been generously gifted to Egypt’s Ministry of Culture. This extraordinary personal collection, meticulously curated by Mervat, granddaughter of Yahya Pasha Ibrahim — Egypt’s former Prime Minister and the architect of the 1923 constitution — includes volumes in Arabic, English, French, Italian, and German, with some dating back to the 18th century. It offers a profound window into Egypt’s illustrious literary and political history, promising to enrich the nation’s cultural heritage and provide an unparalleled exploration of its intellectual legacy. The Ministry of Culture has assumed custody of this invaluable collection, committing to its meticulous preservation and public accessibility.
During a meeting with the children of Mrs. Mervat Ahmed Yahya, H.E. Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, commended the family’s initiative, emphasizing the ministry’s steadfast commitment to preserving cultural heritage. He noted that the Ministry of Culture welcomes such constructive initiatives and is dedicated to safeguarding and protecting this historical collection of books and volumes. He highlighted that the Egyptian National Library houses several private collections from prominent figures in thought, literature, and politics, which their owners have generously donated to the ministry for preservation and public access.
H.E. Dr. Hanno further explained that the ministry, through a specialized committee from the National Library and Archives, is diligently working to sort and catalog the collection. The committee is also devising a plan to restore several volumes to maintain this valuable addition to the Egyptian National Library.
Heba Al Mansoori, the eldest daughter of Mervat Ahmed Yahya, reflected on the significance of the collection during her meeting with H.E. the Minister: “Growing up surrounded by these treasured books, I developed a deep sense of pride and reverence for their historical and intellectual value. They were not only a source of immense knowledge but also a symbol of my mother’s lifelong dedication to preserving Egypt’s cultural and intellectual heritage. By handing over this collection to the Ministry of Culture, we are ensuring that her legacy endures.”
The integration of this remarkable collection will enhance Egypt’s appeal as a center for cultural exploration, offering visitors valuable insights into the nation’s rich literary and cultural history. The collection will be meticulously preserved using advanced techniques to ensure it remains in excellent condition for future generations. This effort underscores Egypt’s dedication to cultural preservation and enrichment, reinforcing its role as a destination where heritage and knowledge are celebrated and maintained.
The collection features several notable works, including Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Ghazali’s Revival of Religious Sciences, Fouad Siraj al-Din Pasha’s Cotton, Sheikh Imam Abu Al-Hassan Ali bin Al-Hussein Al-Masoudi’s The Meadows of Gold and Precious Stones in History (Part 1), and Imam Bukhari’s Sahih Al-Bukhari (Part 1). It also includes a 1949 edition of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, Ludwig Renn’s 1929 French edition of Guerre, and Mario Urso’s 1932 Italian edition of Il Sogno Delle Isole Àrpiche, among other highly sought-after volumes.