Rare Kufic Quran manuscript found in Karbala, Iraq

SHAFAQNA – The manuscript copy, which dates back to 912 AD, was found by the Center for Research on Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) Heritage affiliated to the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine.

Mushtaq Muzaffar, director of the center, said the copy is among the oldest Quran manuscripts in the world.

Kufic is the oldest calligraphic form of the various Arabic scripts and consists of a modified form of the old Nabataean script. It developed around the end of the 7th century in Kufa, Iraq, from which it takes its name, and other centers.

Muzaffar said the copy will be added to the manuscripts treasury of the center.