"Buying a Koran before the start of the month of Ramadan was a tradition" but the Libyans, very attentive to their expenses against the backdrop of a deep economic crisis, "prefer to restore their books rather than buy new ones", explains to AFP M Drebi, 54, in his studio on Mizran Street in Tripoli.

Moreover, since the state has "interrupted the printing of Korans in Libya", prices have risen.

It now takes around twenty euros, depending on the quality of the binding, for a medium-sized Quran, he says.

The workshop only charges a few euros for the equipment used in the restoration, the labor being free.

Ramadan is one of the most mystical times of the year, dedicated to prayer and the reading of the holy book of Islam.

And this year, with the lifting of restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, mosques are planning an influx of worshippers, prayer mats and Qurans under their arms.

At the back of the room, Abdel Razzaq al-Aroussi, in his sixties, in overalls, lists the Korans according to their degree of deterioration and the duration of the necessary intervention which "will vary between one or several hours".

"Indefinable Happiness"

"The very damaged Korans (...) must be undone, restored and then bound", a meticulous process which requires "time and concentration", explains this technician, bent over his work, surrounded by hundreds of Korans piled up on shelves that struggle to support them.

"The restoration and binding work requires the intervention of several craftsmen", each according to his specialty, explains Mabrouk Al-Amin, another restorer.

Ancient Korans waiting to be restored in a workshop in Tripoli, March 22, 2022 in Libya Mahmud Turkia AFP

"Working with the + Book of God + is very pleasant... we never tire of it despite the magnitude of the task", points out this fifty-year-old who speaks of an "indefinable happiness".

Some clients entrust them with precious works handed down from generation to generation, abused by time.

It is not only a question of repairing but of establishing a privileged link with customers wishing to preserve a Koran which conveys memories and "still carries the smell of a grandfather, a father or a mother. “, says Mr. Drebi who, despite the success of his workshop, works on a voluntary basis and depends solely on donations “from charitable people”.

Craftsmen work on the restoration of old or damaged Korans in a workshop in Tripoli, March 22, 2022 in Libya Mahmud Turkia AFP

In the eyes of these passionate craftsmen, it is more a "work of memory" than a simple act of generosity.

More and more women

A new generation has joined the workshop, bringing "new techniques" using the computer for "graphic design and software like Photoshop to reproduce the missing pages of a Koran", underlines Mr. Al-Amin.

Since the creation of the Mizran workshop in 2008, nearly half a million copies have been restored and more than 1,500 trainees, mainly men, have trained there.

Women restore copies of the Koran, old or damaged, in a workshop in Tripoli, March 22, 2022 in Libya Mahmud Turkia AFP

But more and more women attracted by this profession which combines know-how and spirituality come to learn it before becoming trainers in their turn.

They enjoy carrying out this activity in the comfort of their homes or in exclusively female workshops such as the one run by Khadija Mahmoud in Zaouia (45 km west of Tripoli).

"An exceptional lady who does an exceptional job," said Mr. Aroussi of her.

Retired from national education, trained at the Mizran workshop, she is much loved by her students, especially blind women who thus find meaning in their lives.

Women restore copies of the Koran, old or damaged, in a workshop in Tripoli, March 22, 2022 in Libya Mahmud Turkia AFP

"The majority of volunteers are retirees who like these moments devoted to the Koran" and to meet "among women to feel more at ease", confides to AFP Ms. Mahmoud, in her workshop at the parma-colored tables.

© 2022 AFP