About Astan Quds Razavi

Astan Quds Razavi

The Malek National Library and Museum was donated to Astan Quds Razavi by Haj Hossein Agha Malek and is now one of the many institutions that function under the aegis of Astan Quds Razavi.

The framework of this institution is defined according to the Malek's Endowment Document, in accordance with the strategies and cultural policies of Astan Quds Razavi.

Before the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the cultural activities of Astan Quds were limited to four libraries including the Central Library in Mashhad, the Malek Library, the Vaziri Library and the Harandi Library. After the Revolution, the preservation and revival of the Razavi concepts was seriously pursued by the Chairman of the Astan Quds Razavi. Thus, different cultural institutions were founded such as the Razavi University of Islamic Science , Imam Reza International University, Razavi Cultural Foundation, the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Archives of Astan Quds Razavi, the Art Foundation and Institute of Astan Quds Razavi, Beh-Nashr Publication, Quds Cultural Institute and the Foundation for Islamic Research. The Supreme Cultural Council of Astan Quds is responsible for cultural policy-making, supervision and monitoring of these institutions.

A large part of the cultural activities of Astan Quds is devoted to libraries and museums. Astan Quds and its dependent institutions have 38 libraries with four million books, over 100000 handwritten manuscripts and 25000 lithograph manuscripts housed in some 60000 square meters, which constitute the largest network of libraries in Iran. The Astan-Quds-related museums are among the richest and most important museums of Iran.

In its Twenty-Year-Outlook-Plan, the Astan Quds Razavi is seeking to reach the top place amongst the libraries and museums of the Middle East. The Malek National Library and Museum, one of its main institutions is striving to achieve such a similar high-minded goal.