Makkah Exhibition Displays Rare 1,000-Year-Old Quran Manuscript

A Quran manuscript dating back more than 1,000 years is on public display at the Iqra Exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Endowment in Makkah, with organisers describing it as one of only two known copies worldwide.

Organised by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, the exhibition features a manuscript written by the renowned calligrapher Ali ibn Hilal, better known as Ibn al Bawwab, one of the most influential figures in the development of Arabic calligraphy.

The manuscript is displayed alongside scholarly documentation examining its calligraphy, decorative elements and artistic features. According to the organisers, the exhibition traces the evolution of Quranic transcription, manuscript illumination and Arabic calligraphy, highlighting how these traditions developed over the centuries.

The Iqra Exhibition also presents rare Quran manuscripts, historical documents and educational displays that explore the preservation and transmission of the Holy Quran across different historical periods. Through these exhibits, organisers aim to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the cultural, artistic and scholarly legacy associated with Quranic manuscripts and broader efforts to preserve Islamic heritage.