Unique samples of Quran are presented in Baku

A unique exhibition of various samples of Quran entitled "Treasury of the World" opened in Baku at the Palace of Shirvanshahs. The exhibition features various editions of Quran in unusual shapes and sizes including one with a size of one centimeter, rounded shape with a diameter of 4 cm, one in the form of an octahedron, a grain of rice and haricot on which verses from Quran are written.

Below is the interview with head or the “Shams” Women’s Public Association, co-organizer of the exhibition.



What samples of Quran are being displayed at the exhibition?

The exhibition is unique as it features rare artifacts, most of which exist only in our republic. Some of the samples were brought from Shusha mosques after the Dashalty operation during the Karabakh war, and those that we could not save were taken to Khankandi by Armenians.

Why do you believe that they took it exactly to Khankandi?

My grandfather told me this, he was a great scientist and metaphysician in his time. Some of the samples of the scripture were miraculously rescued during the Soviet regime. For example, we have a copy of Quran, which had been immured in the wall of one of the homes in Shusha for years. In addition, with the advent of Soviet power, many of Azerbaijani families handed over their Qurans to mosques, which were guarantors of preservation of these sacred books at that time. A unique sample of Quran, one of the first translations of Quran into Azerbaijani language, is also presented. It is Quran translated from Arabic in 1908 through funds allocated by oil magnate Musa Nagiyev.

We have samples of Quran brought from Ashgabat which suffered a major destructive earthquake in 1948. I want to tell you more about one of the books. Turkmen people used to live mainly in villages. A lot of Azerbaijanis exiled to Turkmenistan under Stalin lived in Ashgabat. There were many people from Karabakh, Shamakhi and Sheki regions of Azerbaijan who founded their own separate neighborhoods. So, excavation carried out in a luxury home after the earthquake revealed that only beautifull and high vase with verses from the Holy Quran depicted on it has survived.

What is the age of the oldest of Qurans at the exhibition?

400-600-year-old samples of Quran are presented. By the way, the exhibition has become a matter of a great interest. Lovers of antiquities, including foreigners try to get into contact with us. As for antiquities, I can say that one of the oldest specimens in the exhibition will be a Quran that once belonged Kangarli family. The back cover of the book has dates of birth of people from this family and has info about those who handed Quran to the next generation.

Who is the organizer of the exhibition?

It has been organized by the Islamic branch of the Republican Women's Society and Palace of Shirvanshahs. The exhibition will run until November 19.


/Vesti.az/