The Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas Library (SMNAL) is the research library of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Established to support teaching and research, the Library houses an extensive multilingual collection specialising in Islamic studies, comparative thought and civilisation. Its resources include general and reference works, journals, scholars’ collections, manuscripts, rare books and microforms in major Islamic and Western languages.
The Library’s collection was initiated in 1987 by Professor Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, founder-director of ISTAC, and the Library was officially named in his honour on 22 May 2012. Particularly noteworthy are its rare books and manuscripts, including materials representing the intellectual heritage of the Islamic and Malay worlds and manuscripts dating back to the twelfth century.
The History of SMNA Library
1987 — The Beginning
ISTAC was approved for establishment by IIUM, and Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas began developing the Institute's library collection.
1989 — Establishment of the Library
The ISTAC Library was established to support the instructional and research needs of the Institute's scholarly community.
1987–2002 — Development under Professor al-Attas
As Director-General of ISTAC, Professor al-Attas played a central role in developing the library and its scholarly collection.
22 May 2012 — Naming of the Library
The ISTAC Library was officially named the Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas Library (SMNAL) in recognition of his contribution.
