In a remarkable endeavour twelve years ago, Haji Sher Khan, a prominent businessman from the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, India, envisioned creating a unique Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam. Collaborating with renowned calligrapher Maulana Jameel Ahmad Tonky, Khan initiated a project to make the world’s largest handwritten Holy Quran. A dedicated team of ten […]
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In a remarkable endeavour twelve years ago, Haji Sher Khan, a prominent businessman from the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan, India, envisioned creating a unique Quran, the sacred scripture of Islam. Collaborating with renowned calligrapher Maulana Jameel Ahmad Tonky, Khan initiated a project to make the world’s largest handwritten Holy Quran.
A dedicated team of ten individuals was assembled for this monumental task. Over the course of two years, their meticulous efforts culminated in the production of an extraordinary manuscript. Weighing 260 kilograms, the Quran spans approximately 10.5 feet in width and 7.6 feet in length. Its sheer size necessitates the assistance of 20-25 people for lifting and requires two individuals to turn its pages. To access its contents, readers must utilize a ladder, underscoring the grandeur of this exceptional creation as reported by Awaz the voice. In.
Maulana Jameel Ahmad Tonky, his brother Ghulam Muhammad, and their family meticulously crafted each aspect of the Quran. Employing traditional methods, they adorned handmade paper from Jaipur and Sanganeri with intricate calligraphy using German ink. Maulana’s wife and sons also contributed to the manuscript’s completion by cutting, folding, and embellishing the pages with floral designs. The title ‘Quran-e-Kareem’ is elegantly inscribed in silver on the cover, further enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
After its completion, the magnificent manuscript was unveiled at Jaipur’s Rabindra Manch during its diamond jubilee celebration. Drawing visitors from distant locales, the Quran garnered widespread acclaim for its unparalleled craftsmanship. Subsequently, it found a permanent home at the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Arabic Persian Research Institute (APRI), serving as a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage.
The Quran’s pages are meticulously crafted, with each of the 30 paras written on individual pages. Silver corners, golden plates, and brass hinges adorn its cover, enhancing its durability and elegance. The script, executed in Khat-e Sulz or Nashk Arabic, reflects the same style utilized in Makkah. Notably, the Quran’s paper, derived from Sanganeri handmade paper, boasts a lifespan of up to 400 years, underscoring its enduring legacy.
The world’s largest Quran is meticulously written on 30 pages, each dedicated to one part of the holy book. Crafted with silver corners, golden plates, and brass hinges, it features Khat-e Sulz script, employing 41 lines per page, starting with Alif. Made from 18 standard pages of Sanganeri handmade paper, it boasts a durability of up to 400 years, with estimated costs of around Rs 15 lakh.
However, thus far, Afghanistan has held the title for possessing the world’s largest handwritten Qur’an, comprising 218 pages. Each of the 30 parts, or ‘paras,’ was meticulously inscribed in 30 distinct calligraphic styles. This remarkable manuscript was finalized over a period of three years.
Before India, in January 2012, the world’s largest handwritten Holy Quran was inaugurated in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Afghan calligrapher Mohammed Sabeer Hussani and nine student apprentices collaboratively worked on a page for the world’s largest Quran at the Hakim Nasir-e-Khusraw Balkhi Cultural Center.
Over the span of nearly five years, the ambitious project to create the world’s largest Holy Quran reached fruition under the meticulous supervision of a skilled artist from Hakim Nasir Khusraw Balkhi.
Beginning in September 2004 and concluding in September 2009, the composition phase alone demanded two years of continuous effort, while the calligraphy work, executed across 218 pages measuring 228 cm in length and 155 cm in width, featured thirty distinct designs, each corresponding to a part of the Holy Quran.
This comes as there is no confirmation from the independent third-party organizations regarding the title of the world’s largest handmade Quran. Previously, several nations, notably Pakistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, have staked claims to hosting the world’s largest Quran.
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