Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz Public Library in Riyadh has acquired a rare 1829 copy of the first printed English translation of Ibn Battuta's travels. This 294-page work, translated by British Orientalist Samuel Lee, is based on an abridged manuscript housed at Cambridge University. The translation includes extensive historical and geographical commentaries, as well as references to classical Arabic texts.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the original travelogue was penned by Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi in 1355 CE, under the commission of Sultan Abu Inan al-Marini. It chronicles Ibn Battuta's 30-year journey across Africa, the Middle East, Andalusia, and Asia. Known as the "Prince of Muslim Travelers," Ibn Battuta's account has been translated into numerous languages over the centuries. This acquisition by the library underscores early Western scholarly engagement with Islamic heritage and the significance of preserving these historical connections.