SLC26-W6 | Street Business Diaries: Exceptional and unknown businesses.

_{Edited by LiveCollage.}
Hello Steemians,

This week I visited an exceptional little place in the heart of the medina: the Diwan Library, a very old bookshop tucked beside the famous Great Mosque of Zitouna. The shop feels like a small time capsule wooden shelves, narrow aisles, and a quiet presence that invites you to slow down and read. I want to share that visit with you: the shy owner, the rich collection of religious and historical books, rare pages that talk about the old mosque, and maps that trace the medina’s past.

---

The Place and the Owner

The library stands close to the mosque’s doors; you can reach it by walking through the medina alleys. The owner greeted me shyly dressed in a white kamis, standing in the centre of his books like a guardian of knowledge. He prefers to keep to himself, but his kindness shows when he opens a rare volume and shares a small story.

_{The owner of Diwan Library in his element.}

---

A Rich Collection of Religious and Historical Books

The shelves are full of religious texts, Qurans of different sizes, classical commentaries, hadith collections, and local histories. I spent time turning pages of old books: one page showed the sūrah details and dates connected to the Great Mosque; another described the architecture of Zitouna with old notes. There was also an old Islamic map, yellowed paper that still holds the geometry of old routes and cities.

I also bought a special book that explores the history of the Great Mosque and the educational institutions of the medina. The volume traces the mosque’s foundation, the rise of madrasas and local schools, the role of scholars, and how the medina became an important center of Islamic learning. Reading it helped me understand how places of worship and study shaped daily life, faith, and education for generations.

_{Me in my favorite corner of the library.}

---

01 What is the most in-demand exceptional product in your area?

The most requested items here are pocket Qurans, small prayer booklets, classical tafsir (Quranic commentary), and histories of local mosques. Students and older people often look for compact editions they can carry to the mosque or to study sessions. Collectors sometimes ask for rare prints and old maps when they visit.

During Ramadan and Hajj season, the library often prepares discounts on Qurans and prayer booklets to encourage people to read more and share knowledge within their families.

_{The most sought after books.}

---

02 Have you ever bought anything from these stores? (Pictures + video + example prices)

Yes, on past visits I bought a pocket Quran and a small booklet. This visit I mainly browsed and photographed the collection and selected a history book about the Great Mosque of Zitouna and the educational institutions of the medina.

_{My purchases.}

Example Prices:

Item	Price (TND)	Price (STEEM)
Pocket Quran	5	12.85
Small prayer booklet	7	17.99
History book on the mosque and madrasas	20	51.40
Hadith Collection (medium size)	12	30.84
Tafsir Commentary (large volume)	35	89.95
Biography of Scholars Book	18	46.26

Video 1080p60:

---

03 How do these products impact people's lives?

These books are more than paper, they are tools for daily life and memory. They support worship, teach children moral and religious stories, and preserve local history. The library is a quiet place where a student can study a hadith, an elder can trace a genealogy, and a visitor can learn about the mosque’s past. For many, these books are practical guides and sources of comfort.

Historic page about the Mosque of Zitouna with the mosque behind it.	Overview of the books in the library

---

04 Do these exceptional businesses make a special contribution to society?

Absolutely. Shops like Diwan keep knowledge accessible close to the neighborhood. They sell affordable religious materials, provide a space for calm reading, and act as cultural stewards. The owner’s quiet dedication and the discounts offered during Islamic occasions like Ramadan or Hajj make it easier for families and students to access important books.

In the evenings, the owner often opens a large Quran book and reads it aloud when children gather to memorize and recite verses. It transforms the library into a small corner of learning and faith, where knowledge is passed from one generation to another.

_{The large Quran.}

---

A Few Practical Notes

If you visit: go gently, ask permission before photographing, buy a small booklet if you can, and take a minute to sit and read.

_{The front of Diwan library}

Location	Diwan Library
Google Maps	https://maps.app.goo.gl/eZZnnrT4UM9ssPnQ8
Atlas Pin Code	[//]:# (!steematlas 36.79773368 lat 10.17070806 long Diwan Library d3scr)

---

Closing

Visiting Diwan Library felt like stepping into quiet history, the smell of old paper, the soft voice of the owner, and pages that connect us to the past. Finding the book about the mosque and the medina’s schools made the visit especially meaningful; it opened a window on centuries of learning and faith.

This challenge reminded me that religion and our relationship with God are far more than just a theme for a contest, they are a living part of who we are, guiding us every day.

I invite my friends @kouba01, @adeljose, @curx to also participate.

Best Regards,
@marwene

_{Photo Credits: All photos in this post were taken by me, @marwene, using an iPhone 13 Pro Max.}