Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
One of the most beautiful, well-known manuscripts of the Holy Quran was presented in a special event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, telling a story of how the Islamic faith bridges cultures.
The ancient manuscript, which dates back to 800-900 CE, left the public in awe during the event organised by the Abrahamic Family House and Zayed National Museum for the Holy Month of Ramadan.
The Blue Quran is famous for its indigo pages and gold and silver Arabic calligraphy. Only about 100 pages of it exist and five are part of the Zayed National Museum's collection in Saadiyat Cultural District, near the Abrahamic Family House.
Nurul Iman Bint Rusli, Curator at Zayed National Museum, said the manuscript is unique for its aesthetic beauty and construction. It is written in Kufic script, initially with brown or black ink and later adorned with gold and silver.
Research on how the Blue Quran came to be has shown connections between the three Abrahamic faiths.
Dr. Peter Magee, Director of the Zayed National Museum, drew attention to the manuscript's importance from both a faith and aesthetic perspective, highlighting its historical significance, especially its creation in Al-Andalus.
"The creation of the Blue Quran was done in Al-Andalus, where there was a pronounced coexistence between the three Abrahamic faiths," explained Dr. Peter Magee, Director of the Zayed National Museum.
"This element of religious coexistence is central to the Zayed National Museum's mission and also to the vision Sheikh Zayed had for the UAE," he added.
Hidden Text
Beneath the Quran's beauty, however, lies a mystery. Some hidden text was discovered with the help of technology.
Using advanced imaging, researchers revealed parts of Surah al-Nisa hidden beneath a decorative layer of gold leaf, Iman said.
"Our research shows the Blue Quran's parchment is sheepskin, dyed with indigo, and written with glue," she added.
Dr. Magee stressed the significance of interdisciplinary research in the museum's mission.
"Every object has a story to tell," he said.
"The previously hidden text, revealed through scientific methods, is now an integral part of the object's history. The best knowledge creation occurs when complex scientific techniques are combined with deep humanistic inquiry," he added.
Technology plays a key role in preserving the ancient manuscript, said Fatima Al Tamimi, Head of the museum's Conservation Unit.
"By applying non-invasive, multi-spectral imaging, we have gained new insights into the materials used in the creation of the Blue Qur'an and the extent of past conservation efforts," Al Tamimi said.
Representing Islamic Faith
The manuscript will be displayed at the Zayed National Museum's "Through Our Connections" gallery.
The gallery "showcases the broadening horizons of the people of the ancient emirates and the impact of new technologies, materials and knowledge, culminating in the development of the Arabic language and the spread of Islam," according to the museum's website.
"The Blue Quran represents the Islamic faith, but in our galleries, we use it to explore the connections between cultures, particularly in Al-Andalus, especially in Cordoba during the 9th century," Iman said.
Dr. Magee encouraged visitors to reflect on the interconnectedness between faith and culture that reflects the values of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Speaking to Aletihad, he said: "The vision of the museum is to celebrate the legacy and values of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the history and culture of the country he founded. The Blue Quran is particularly important because of its connection to that vision. It relates because Sheikh Zayed believed that science was important, and that science is a way of driving history forward.
"Al-Andalus was an incredibly important Islamic kingdom. It was a time when people of all Abrahamic faiths were welcomed, and there was a blossoming of science, research, literature, and knowledge. For me, personally, there is a fantastic connection between this manuscript, what we are doing at the Zayed National Museum, and discussing it today at the Abrahamic Family House. All of these elements come together to create a compelling narrative," he added.
"What we saw today is only a small step in the broader science and research project at Zayed National Museum. The museum will continue its research, using the lessons from this study to engage the public in cutting-edge knowledge generation about the history and culture of the UAE."
