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Show Special grants and privileges from Muhammad and the Caliphs, and their recognition later by the Sultans when Egypt was under Turkish rule, have preserved the Monastery of Sinai from the destruction that was meted out by the Arabs to hundreds of other monasteries during the periods of religious warfare. Mohammad, originally a guide of commercial caravans, visited the monks on Sinai on his early journeys and did not forget their cordial hospitality. In 625, at Muhammad's order, the monastery sent a special deputation to Medina, where Mohammad, in the presence of his followers, delivered to them a document instructing his followers to leave the monks free to perform their religious duties and to respect their property. This document was recognizee, after Muhammad*s death, by his successors, the Caliphs* In the 10th Century, a Muhammadan mosque was erected within the boundaries of the monastery by the monks of Sinai, for the use not only of their Muhammadan neighbors but also of the* many pilgrims who had to travel thrOUgh the peninsula at that tine to get to Mecca. , :n 1517$ uP°n the assumption of Turkish rule over the area, Sultan Selim I recognized not only the privileges accorded bv Muhammad to the monastery, but also gave additional privileges, respected by all following Sultans. Centuries later, when Napoleon I conquered Egypt (1797-98) he wrote the monies on Mount Sinai, "I am glad that wise and civilized ' ' men dwell In the Monastery, in the midst of the barbarians of the desert." It is against this rich bad-ground of history that the manuscripts in the Monastery of St. Catherine have been produced. Most of them are the works of the monks of the monastery. They are written in Greek Arabic, Slavonian, Iberian and Syriac. ' . As the work of filming progressed it was found that the materials available were even richer and more extensive than originally estimated. A .number of important discoveries will in all probability be made when the ixlms are studies. Professor Atiya has already announce.- the discovery ox a palimpsest containing five layers; one Greek, two Syriac and two Kufic layers are superimposed on each other. Professor Ativa believes that the Greek letters, a Gospel, may prove to be even more ancient than the Codex Sinaiticus of the fourth century. The lower Kufic layer seems definitely to be of the first Ilcjira century and thus almost contemporary with the Prophet Mohammed, * The Library is making arrangements to bring Professor Atiya to Washington in the Fall of 1950 to serve as a consultant for a period of three months. He will concern himself with the editing of the*firmans. fe t^^%Ke-°t}- 2f* if.cfnslderine the preparation of a complete guide to the Mt. Sinai nlms which would give the catalog numbers of the manuscripts listed, contents, dates, authors, scribes, and other essential information. x This project, one of the most ambitious in which tie Library has ever engaged, was brought to a successful close in July 1950. |