Digital Islamic Humanities

Digital Islamic Humanities

Digitization of Islamic Manuscripts and Historical Heritage: Opportunities and Challenges

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
seyyed saeid jivad 1
hojjat toubchizadegan 2
1 Faculty of Payam Noor Khoy University
2 M.A. in Educational Sciences, Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/disah.2026.2085686.1069
Abstract
Islamic manuscripts and historical heritage constitute a valuable component of the scientific and cultural legacy of the Muslim world, accumulated and transmitted over many centuries. Owing to natural deterioration, environmental damage, and limited accessibility, this heritage has continuously faced the risk of loss and destruction. As one of the major achievements of the digital humanities, digitization provides an innovative framework for the preservation, dissemination, and reinterpretation of these invaluable resources. Adopting a descriptive–analytical approach, the present study examines the opportunities and challenges associated with the digitization of Islamic manuscripts and historical heritage. The principal opportunities include the preservation of written cultural heritage, broader accessibility for researchers, the application of digital data analysis techniques, and the promotion of international scholarly collaboration. Conversely, significant challenges include inadequate technical infrastructure, financial constraints, issues related to standardization, intellectual property rights, and the shortage of qualified specialists. The findings indicate that, despite these challenges, digitization has the potential to play a transformative role in the advancement of historical and cultural studies of Islam. The study concludes by proposing several practical recommendations, including the establishment of a comprehensive digital repository of Islamic manuscripts, the strengthening of collaboration between academic and technological institutions, and the integration of artificial intelligence into the analysis of historical texts.
Keywords
Islamic Manuscripts
Historical Heritage
Digitization
Digital Humanities
Cultural Heritage
Subjects
 
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Digital Islamic Humanities
Volume 2, Issue 3
April 2026
Pages 239-258