UNESCO recognizes Ibn Toufail's medical poem as a vital part of global heritage

UNESCO has officially added "Al Orjoza fi teb," the renowned medical poem by 12th-century Andalusian philosopher-physician Ibn Toufail, to its Memory of the World register. This significant addition, presented by Morocco, is part of a broader initiative that includes 73 other documentary collections recognized this year.

"Al Orjoza fi teb is a medical treatise crafted in the rajaz poetic form, celebrated for its accessibility and rhythmic quality," UNESCO stated in its announcement. The treatise spans 148 pages and encompasses 7,700 verses that meticulously outline various diseases, their symptoms, and corresponding treatments.

The work is systematically organized into seven articles, each containing multiple chapters that classify human ailments. It addresses a range of conditions, including those affecting the head, throat, chest, digestive system, and urinary tract. Additionally, it discusses fevers and external infestations, including toxicological treatments.

"Documentary heritage is both essential and fragile, representing a crucial facet of world memory," noted UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. She emphasized the organization's commitment to preserving such heritage through dedicated programs and best practices.

Ibn Toufail, whose full name is Abu Bakr Muhammad ibnu Abdul Malik Al-Qaysi, passed away in 1185. He studied medicine in Granada and served as a judge in Andalusia. His contributions extend beyond medicine; he is also known for his philosophical work "Hayy ibn Yaqdhan," which has had a lasting influence on Arabic and European literature.

The poem was designed to aid in the memorization and dissemination of medical knowledge, marrying scientific rigor with poetic elegance. It begins with ailments of the head and concludes with those of the feet, providing comprehensive treatments and remedies throughout.

A rare manuscript of this important work is preserved in the Al-Quaraouiyine library in Fez, Morocco.

In addition to Ibn Toufail's work, UNESCO has also included Algeria's "Al-Qanun fit-Tibb" by Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in its registry. A rare copy of this influential "Canon of Medicine" is housed in Algeria’s National Library and has had a profound impact on medical education in both the East and West up until the 17th century.

With these recent inscriptions, UNESCO's Memory of the World register now safeguards 570 documentary collections globally. Established in 1992, the program aims to preserve humanity's documentary heritage and ensure universal access to these invaluable resources, which are often at risk of degradation.