Jerusalem's Khâlidiyya Library is one of the foremost private libraries open to the public in the Arab world, and a remarkable example of an Arab cultural institution in Jerusalem. The Library was established in 1899 by Hajj Raghib al-Khalidi with the aim of encouraging the spread of learning, and reviving interest in the classics of Islamic learning, as well as modern subjects. Its contents comprise 1,900 manuscripts as well as more than 5,000 printed volumes, mostly on subjects in the realm of Islamic theology, law and philosophy. It also archives countless documents and letters.
Today, after extensive renovation, cataloguing and preservation measures, the Library is again ready to welcome scholars from around the world.
Once the "Palestinian Educational Bookshop" owned and ran by the late Edward Said's family, the Educational Bookshop covers all aspects of Middle Eastern history and politics and provides educational and cultural study material about Palestine and the Middle East, in several languages.
Through different initiatives and activities, also in collaboration with local institutions, cultural centres, schools and hotels, the Bookshop contributes to a renewal in the drive for social, political and economical change.
Located in the historic American Colony Hotel, the English-language bookshop owned by Munther Fahimi offers books in the region's history, cultures and religions, other than contemporary fiction. The Bookshop organizes book launches, talks and film screenings.