Deep in the West African nation of Mali lies Timbuktu—a formerly prosperous desert crossroads where salt, gold, slaves, and scholarship were exchanged as far back as the 11th century. During the 15th century, this fabled city became a gathering place for the study of Islamic law, theology and secular works, drawing thousands of students and scholars from West and North Africa and the Middle East. In this video from Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, travel to Timbuktu for a look at what ancient manuscripts reveal about the city's rich history as a center for Islamic culture and studies.

For more resources like this, visit the collection Promoting Understanding: Islam.