NationThailand-Aug 26
Visitors exploring the thousands of manuscripts, historic copies of the Quran, and 1,000-year-old ancient artefacts at the Muzium al-Quran Melayu Raya in Narathiwat, southern Thailand, are instantly transported to a bygone era of Malay history. The most captivating exhibit is a handwritten copy of the Quran belonging to a renowned Nusantara scholar Tok Kenali, whose real name was Muhammad Yusof Ahmad. This Quran was completed in 1286 Hijrah. Another major highlight is the Quran, written in 1134 Hijrah, adorned with lettering written in gold ink at the start of each chapter, which has earned the reputation of being the most beautiful Quran in the Islamic world. Also on display is a Quran from the Mughal Empire in India, with its cover made from animal hide and its pages from tree bark, as well as a Quran from Yemen, which is over 1,000 years old, written on goat skin, according to Ustaz Muhammad Lutfi Ahmad Samae, museum curator and headmaster of Al-Ahmadiah Al-Islamiah Madrasah. He said the museum, which opened in 2010, is divided into five exhibition rooms: Quran Manuscripts, Conferences, Malay Manuscripts, Ancient Malay Technology and Greatness of Malay Knowledge. “The aim of collecting (and exhibiting) these precious treasures, such as the holy books and ancient documents, is to preserve their historical value and knowledge so that they can be appreciated by future generations,” said Muhammad Lutfi recently. He added the museum also serves as an educational center for students and researchers who can gain more knowledge about Islamic culture and art through the study of the manuscripts, sourced from various parts of the world. According to Muhammad Lutfi, the museum houses 79 handwritten copies of the Quran, ranging between 150 to 1,100 years old, that have been fully restored, with nearly 200 more waiting to be restored. Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40040926
