– Radiance News Service
Cairo, Egypt: Recently, the National Archives of Cairo, Egypt, discovered a seventh-century manuscript of the Qur’an. After careful and painstaking work, experts have confirmed that this copy of the Quran is as old as Islam itself. This surprising discovery plays an important role in the preservation of Islamic history, providing a significant glimpse into the early history of Islam. It is no exaggeration to say that this discovery will be a great source of pride for Muslims around the world.
According to the WION news channel, this extraordinary Quranic manuscript, made of animal skin and carefully bound to mimic the characteristics of paper, is now recognized as one of the oldest extant copies of the Quran. Comprising 32 pages and inscribed with an ancient Hijazi script distinguished by its vertical strokes, the manuscript is rendered in a type of ink known as iron. Notably, it predates the widely recognized Kufi script, firmly situating it within the 7th century.
Malk Noushy Malak, an inspector from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, elaborated on the significance of this discovery, stating, “The term ‘Hijazi Quran’ is derived from the script in which it is written, the Hijazi font, which precedes the Kufi script. This font is notably archaic and places the manuscript squarely within the first Hijri century, corresponding to the 7th century AD.”
The unveiling of this ancient Quranic manuscript has elicited widespread excitement, attracting scholars, historians, and devout individuals alike to visit the National Archives of Egypt. As visitors stand in awe of this tangible link to the origins of their faith, the importance of safeguarding cultural and religious heritage becomes more apparent than ever before.
