In an obscure corner of the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, lies one of Islam’s most sacred relics - the world’s oldest Quran.
It is a reminder of the role which Central Asia once played in Muslim history - a fact often overlooked after seven decades of Soviet-imposed atheism.
The library where the Quran is kept is in an area of old Tashkent known as Hast-Imam, well off the beaten track for most visitors to this city.
The Othman Quran was compiled in Medina by Othman, the third caliph or Muslim leader.
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Before him, the sacred verses which Muslims believe God gave to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) were memorised, or written on pieces of wood or camel bone.
To prevent disputes about which verses should be considered divinely inspired, Othman had this definitive version compiled. It was completed in the year 651, only 19 years after Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) death.
This priceless Quran is kept in a special glass-fronted vault built into the wall of a tiny inner room.
About one-third of the original survives - about 250 pages - a huge volume written in a bold Arabic script.
It is said that Caliph Othman made five copies of the original Quran. A partial Quran now in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is said to be another of these original copies. |
