Int’l Quran expo showcases rare Quran in Kufic script

The pavilion of Turkey’s Hizmat Publication at the Tehran International Quran Exhibition has put a large rare copy of the Holy Quran in Kufic script on display.

With a value of about $6,000, the copy is one of 500 printed in 2007 to be gifted to heads of Muslim countries, said Ali Nodehi, in charge of the pavilion.

He also noted that being kept in the museum of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, it is the printed copy of the first Quran in Kufic script which weighs about 16 kilograms.

The pavilion has also put other rare copies of the Quran and Quranic calligraphy works by prominent Turkish calligraphers on display.

Kicked off on Monday, Imam Khomeini Mosalla (grand prayer hall) is hosting the event from May 29 to June 12 (Ramadan 3-22).

The organizers will end the exhibition a few days before the last day of the holy month, because the Mosalla will be the venue of Eid al-Fitr prayers and it will take a few days to prepare to host worshippers on that day.

Some 300 publishers from Iran and a number of other countries, including Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon, have taken part at the international Quranic event.

The exhibition is comprised of different sections, most of which display Quranic achievements as well as books and products.

Another special program of the exhibition is paying tribute to three prominent figures who passed away recently: Ayatollah Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, Ayatollah Seyyed Abdul-Karim Mousavi-Ardebili and Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi.

With the motto 'Quran, Ethics and Life' selected for this year’s expo, people can pay a visit every day from 5 PM (local time) to midnight.

Tehran International Holy Quran Exhibition is held annually during the holy month of Ramadan by Iran’s culture ministry.

The aim of this exhibition is to promote Quranic concepts and to develop activities related to the holy book of Muslims.

MG/AI