First German Translation of Quran Tafsir on Display in Makkah

A rare 1623 German translation of the meanings of the Holy Quran is now on display at the Holy Quran Museum, offering insight into early efforts to present the text to non-Arabic speakers.

The copy, printed in the German city of Nuremberg, is considered one of the earliest known translations into German and forms part of the museum’s collection documenting the history of the Quran and its transmission across languages.

The volume is held by the King Fahd National Library, which preserves historical and scientific materials and makes them accessible to researchers and the public.

Officials described the work as a significant record of early European engagement with Quranic studies, reflecting attempts to convey the meanings of the text to wider audiences beyond the Arabic-speaking world.

The display is part of the museum’s broader programme to present historical materials using contemporary exhibition methods, with a focus on tracing the development and translation of the Quran over time.

Located within the Hira Cultural District, the exhibition introduces visitors to the historical context of the text and its role as a source of knowledge and cultural influence across different societies.