الزوايا والمدارس القرآنية في أقاليم توات ودورها في نشر العلم والمحافظة على المخطوطات

THE CORNERS AND QURANIC SCHOOLS IN THE TAWAT REGIONS AND THEIR ROLE IN SPREADING KNOWLEDGE AND PRESERVING MANUSCRIPTS

Abstract

This study presents a historical and analytical examination of the Zāwiyas and Qur’anic schools in the Tuwāt region, highlighting their pivotal role in the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of manuscripts in southern Algeria. These religious and educational institutions functioned for centuries as foundational pillars of intellectual, spiritual, and cultural life. Adopting a descriptive–historical methodology, the research traces their emergence, development, and social impact, with particular attention to their endowment-based (waqf) systems that sustained free education, accommodation, and nourishment for students, teachers, and travelers. The findings demonstrate that the Zāwiyas of Tuwāt significantly contributed to Qur’anic memorization, jurisprudential studies, Arabic language sciences, and manuscript preservation, while also combating illiteracy and reinforcing Islamic identity during periods of political and social instability. Moreover, their manuscript collections constitute a vital component of Islamic and African intellectual heritage. The study concludes by stressing the urgent need for renewed scholarly and institutional efforts to preserve these manuscripts and to revitalize the role of the Zāwiyas as enduring centers of faith, knowledge, and cultural continuity.

Conflict of Interest:

The author(s) declare that there are no competing or potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Participant Consent:

Not applicable. This study does not involve human participants.

Data Fabrication/Falsification Statement:

The author(s) declare that no data have been fabricated, falsified, or manipulated in this study.

Copyright 

Copyright (c) 2025 Professor Dr. Ahmed Jaafari