- Title: IRAQ: Rare manuscripts and copies of the Koran are exhibited in Baghdad
- Date: 22nd October 2009
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 22, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR MANUSCRIPTS CLOSE OF SIGN READING (in Arabic): "IRAQI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR MANUSCRIPTS" WIDE OF HALL WHERE EXHIBITION OF MANUSCRIPTS AND RARE COPIES OF HOLY KORAN ARE ON DISPLAY VARIOUS OF COPIES OF HOLY KORAN ON DISPLAY (2 SHOTS) VARIOUS OF MANUSCRIPTS ON DISPLAY (3 SHOTS) VISITORS LOOKING AT RARE COPIES OF HOLY KORAN CLOSE OF COPY OF HOLY KORAN ON DISPLAY CLOSE OF SIGN READING (Arabic/English): "SAMPLE OF HOLY KORAN SHOWS THE STAGES OF WRITING AND ORNAMENTATION" CLOSE OF MANUSCRIPT ON DISPLAY HEAD OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR MANUSCRIPTS, ABDULAH HAMID, IN HIS OFFICE CLOSE OF HAMID WRITING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR MANUSCRIPTS, ABDULLAH HAMID SAYING: "This is the second exhibition to be held after the war with original manuscripts, we have organised a number of exhibitions but with copies of manuscripts. This exhibition contains around 120 pieces, including, manuscripts, patches and tools used for writing." VISITOR LOOKING AT MANUSCRIPTS ON DISPLAY VERSUS OF HOLY KORAN HANGING ON WALL CLOSE OF VERSES OF HOLY KORAN VARIOUS OF MANUSCRIPTS ON DISPLAY (2 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE) (ARABIC), HEAD OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR MANUSCRIPTS, ABDULAH HAMID SAYING: "One of the most important pieces in this exhibition is the manuscript which dates back to 1st century after Hijra (the Muslim calendar). It is verses of holy Koran which have been written on ancient parchment and in the old Kufi handwriting. This is in addition to some copies of holy Koran which were made in way close to being a miracle in their design, decorations and writings." COPY OF HOLY KORAN DATING BACK TO THE SEVENTH CENTURY AH DIFFERENT COPIES OF HOLY KORAN AND MANUSCRIPTS ON DISPLAY CLOSE OF SIGN ACCOMPANYING A PIECE AT THE EXHIBITION VERSES OF HOLY KORAN WRITTEN ON SKIN OF SNAKE VERSES OF HOLY KORAN WRITTEN ON A WHEAT SEED AND PLACED UNDER MAGNIFYING GLASS VISITORS LOOKING AT MANUSCRIPTS
- Embargoed: 6th November 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: History,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA76W57DML0E4OZX4JXWIOMHMCK
- Story Text: Iraqi National Centre for Manuscripts organised an exhibition to display rare manuscripts and old copies of the holy Koran, some dating back to the early Islamic period.
The exhibition was the second time original copies of this type of work have gone on display in Iraq since the 2003 US invasion. It is designed to promote cultural and heritage activities in Iraq.
Around 120 rare manuscripts, Hadith books - documenting prophet Mohammed's words - and verses of the holy Koran, written and decorated in creative ways and using different methods and techniques, were on display at the exhibition, held in the Iraqi National Centre for Manuscripts building in central Baghdad.
Tools used for writing some of the historic pieces were also on display.
"This is the second exhibition to be held after the war with original manuscripts, we have organised a number of exhibitions but with copies of manuscripts. This exhibition contains around 120 pieces, including, manuscripts, patches and tools used for writing," said Abdullah Hamid, Head of the National Centre for Manuscripts.
Visitors looking around the exhibition had the opportunity to closely examine very rare pieces, some dating back to the 1st century in the Islamic calendar, corresponding to the seventh century AD.
Also on show at the exhibition were Koran versus written on snake skin and wheat seed, placed under a magnifying glass for people to view.
Hamid says that some of the pieces at the exhibition and the way they were crafted border on the miraculous.
"One of the most important pieces in this exhibition is the manuscript which dates back to 1st century after Hijra (the Muslim calendar). It is verses of holy Koran which have been written on ancient parchment and in the old Kufi handwriting. This is in addition to some copies of holy Koran which were made in way close to being a miracle in their design, decorations and writings," said Hamid.
The national centre for manuscripts is a part of the Ministry of Culture and is in charge of collecting or recording manuscripts in the whole country including private collections; it provides also restoration and conservation services. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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