The Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, and the President of the Supreme Council of Imams, Mosques, and Islamic Affairs (COSIM), Cheikh Aïma Ousmane Diakité, signed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Abidjan-Plateau, an agreement launching a program dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Islamic documentary heritage.

The Gontougo Region, specifically the Zanzan District, will be the first beneficiary of this pilot initiative.

“The signing of this agreement seals a sacred alliance between the Republic and the guardians of our spiritual heritage. It marks the beginning of a great endeavor: saving from oblivion the Islamic manuscripts of Côte d’Ivoire. These parchments, these texts written in gold or reed ink, are more than paper. They carry the memory of our scholars, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the millennia-old ties between Côte d’Ivoire and the Islamic world,” declared Minister Françoise Remarck.

She added: “Our mission is threefold: to protect these fragile works from the ravages of time, to transmit their knowledge to future generations, and to honor their spiritual and historical value.”

On behalf of all imams, Cheikh Aïma Diakité expressed his deep gratitude to the government and to the Minister of Culture for this initiative aimed at supporting the Muslim community in safeguarding this important part of heritage, a true treasure of knowledge.

“This is about preserving an entire part of the scientific memory of our country. Manuscripts are a treasure left to us by our ancestors. This scientific memory must be safeguarded so that future generations can benefit from it,” he emphasized.

He reaffirmed COSIM’s commitment to the preservation of these Islamic writings to ensure their accessibility for generations to come.

Priority actions will include the systematic inventory and digitization of collections, the restoration of damaged pieces, the training of Ivorian experts in modern conservation techniques, and the creation of a virtual library open to the public.

Moreover, the project will combine international scientific standards (UNESCO norms, advanced digitization technologies) with local traditional expertise, under the supervision of COSIM scholars. Special attention will be given to respecting religious sensitivities and ensuring the confidentiality of private collections.