Turkish Area Specialist Chris Murphy (center) shows a rare medieval Arabic manuscript about petroleum to Charles Davidson and Chip Gill of Vastar Resources Inc. - Yvonne French
On April 14, the African and Middle Eastern Division hosted a dinner for 20 members of the Domestic Petroleum Council that work or are currently planning to work in Africa and the Middle East. On display were three magnificent maps from the Geography and Map Division showing the energy resources found in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and continental Africa.
Other highlights of the exhibit featured some of the division's treasures, including a 15th century copy of an Arabic book on constellations, an 18th century North African collection of the prophet Muhammad's traditions, an 18th century book of prayers by the North African Islamic scholar Al-Jazuli, a West African manuscript in Arabic of Islamic prayers and a 14th century copy of Al-Burda, the well known Arabic poem lauding Muhammad.
Donald Scott, Deputy Librarian of Congress, welcomed the members of the Domestic Petroleum Council and the congressional delegation attending the dinner and discussed some of the Library's activities and their relevance to the activities of the council. Other speakers included Reps. Edward Royce (R-Calif.) and Kevin Brady (R-Texas), as well as Senate Parliamentarian Bob Dove.
