- A Quran copied by calligrapher Ibn al-Bawwab over 1,000 years ago is on show at the Iqra exhibition in Makkah
- Only two copies of this manuscript exist anywhere in the world
- The exhibition is run by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) and Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), under the King Abdulaziz Endowment
A rare copy of the Holy Quran, written by the calligrapher Ali bin Hilal, better known as Ibn al-Bawwab, is drawing visitors to the Iqra exhibition in Makkah. The manuscript is over 1,000 years old and stands as one of the exhibition’s main pieces.
About the Manuscript
Ibn al-Bawwab wrote this copy of the Quran more than a millennium ago. It is shown alongside a scholarly index and study of its calligraphy and ornamentation, giving visitors a closer look at its artistic and historical value. The display also traces how Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation changed over the centuries.
Only Two Copies in the World
The manuscript is considered one of the rarest Islamic manuscripts in existence. Only two known copies survive worldwide, a fact that reflects the care and value placed on the Holy Quran throughout Islamic history.
Who Organised the Exhibition
The Iqra exhibition is run by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) and Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), through the King Abdulaziz Endowment.
