Written by Aboo Imraan Thomas Maldonado
The Islamic Library of the Jaami’ ar-Raajihi Mosque
was established on Sunday the 12th of Sha’ban in the year 1425 A.H. (corresponding
with the 26th of September, 2004 C.E.) in the neighborhood of
Hayy-al-Jazeerah in Riyadh, K.S.A. It was inaugurated alongside the Mosque by Prince
Salmaan bin Abdul-Azeez Aali Sa’ood and named after ash-Shaykh Salmaan bin
Abdil-Azeez ar-Raajihi.
(Library Entrance)
The Library houses more than 12,000 titles and
25,000 volumes in the Arabic language, most of which consist of the Islamic
sciences. These works are categorized using the Dewey Decimal System comprised
of ten sections.
There are a number of services such as assistance in
research, reserving books, use of the Internet, assisting the blind with books
in braille, answering questions about the Library, in addition to showing
researchers how to use the resources available for their studies.
The Library is located downstairs from the south
entrance of the prayer hall and can be accessed via the elevator.
The Library is open from Saturday through Wednesday
from 1:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday is reserved for the women from 4:00 until
7:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays.
My own personal experience of the Library was memorable.
I would spend hours sifting through the sections and books only to be stopped
by the staff when it was time for prayer. Speaking of the staff, they were very
helpful and most were extremely knowledgeable of the subjects I inquired about.
It is always kept clean, quiet, and there are plenty of chairs and desks to
study at. I took the following pictures with my cell phone, they are not the
best quality, but provide a visual glimpse of my personal view.
If you live in Riyadh, you have to visit it at least
once. It is between Exit 15 and 16 using the Eastern Ring Road. You can’t miss
the Masjid, it is strikingly immense and always crowded with worshippers.
The link to the Masjid Library is:
