Mecca museum showcases world's largest Qur'an manuscript

The Holy Qur'an Museum at the Hira Cultural District in Mecca is presenting what is recognised as the world's largest handwritten copy of the Holy Qur'an, drawing visitors with its remarkable scale and craftsmanship.

According to Arab News, the massive manuscript measures 312cm by 220cm and contains 700 pages. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the display has earned the museum recognition from Guinness World Records for exhibiting the world's largest Qur'an of its kind.

The piece is an enlarged reproduction of a historic Qur'an believed to date back to the 16th century, the SPA said.

The original manuscript is significantly smaller, measuring 45cm by 30cm. Its chapters are mainly written in Thuluth script, while Surah Al-Fatiha appears in Naskh, highlighting the refined calligraphic traditions and artistic variation of the period.

The Qur'an stands as a striking example of Arabic calligraphy, gilding and traditional bookbinding. Its design features intricate ornamentation, sun-shaped motifs on the opening folio, and elaborately decorated frontispiece and title pages, demonstrating a high level of artistic mastery.

The manuscript was dedicated as a waqf in 1883. The original version is now preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, reflecting the enduring reverence Muslims hold for the Qur'an and the rich heritage of Islamic art across generations.