Abdel Kader Haidara, a librarian from Mali, played a crucial role in preserving Timbuktu’s cultural heritage during the 2012 jihadist occupation. He led a covert operation to save over 350,000 ancient manuscripts, which included works on astronomy, poetry, and medicine, from destruction by al-Qaeda militants.

Haidara’s family had been custodians of the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library, one of the oldest and largest private manuscript collections in Timbuktu, since the 16th century. After his father’s death in 1981, Haidara expanded the collection and established the Savama-DCI foundation to promote the preservation of Timbuktu’s manuscripts.

In 2012, as al-Qaeda allied militants threatened to occupy Timbuktu, Haidara organized a network of volunteers to transport the manuscripts to safer locations in Bamako. They packed the fragile works into metal chests and used mule carts and small vehicles to evade militant checkpoints. Despite the risks, Haidara and his team successfully moved over 350,000 manuscripts to Bamako, where they are still being stored in safe-houses and storage lockers.

Haidara’s efforts were vital in safeguarding Mali’s rich intellectual history, which dates back centuries. The manuscripts, which cover a wide range of subjects, are a testament to the complex and intellectually advanced society that flourished in Timbuktu for hundreds of years. Haidara’s work has revived interest in Mali’s illustrious past and helped preserve it for future generations.

Today, Haidara continues to work tirelessly to protect and promote Timbuktu’s manuscripts. His dedication and bravery in the face of adversity have made him a hero in Mali and around the world. Haidara’s story is a testament to the power of knowledge and the importance of preserving cultural heritage, even in the face of great danger.