Historic Quran Unveiled at University of Birmingham, Sparking Tears of Joy from Visitors
Publish Date: 10/6/2015 Code: 45804

Historic Quran Unveiled at University of Birmingham, Sparking Tears of Joy from Visitors

Visitors were moved to tears as fragments of an ancient copy of the Quran - among the oldest in the world - went on display at the University of Birmingham.

 

 

News of the historic discovery was announced in July and radiocarbon tests revealed the manuscript is at least 1,370 years old.

The exhibition opened at 10am - and people were overcome with emotion as they saw the text, Birmingham Mail Reported.

Fadi Qashqari, 31, is from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and a Phd student at the university. “When I discovered this holy manuscript was at the University of Birmingham I felt very lucky and excited,” he said.

 “People come from different backgrounds and cultures to see this.”

Sitti Bahiya, 39, from Sparkhill, was in tears as she visited with her family. “I was crying because I’m very happy to see this version of the Quran,” she said.

“When the man was reading the verse I was crying - it’s the same as we read today, so we already knew the verse.”

Sara Warda, 26, a student of international relations from Malaysia, said: “It seems amazing because it’s something from the Quran that I read all the time. It’s amazing to see.

“It’s a bit emotional, the attachment you feel, it’s something close to your heart. It’s amazing how you think back to history.”

Many comments were left by visitors on a noticeboard.

One read: “Wonderful exhibition. Very helpful staff who helped to explain its discovery.”

The fragments were rediscovered by the university among a collection of books from the Middle East, having lain untouched for almost a century.

The exhibition runs until October 25 and tickets are free but there is a £3 booking fee. Details are available at www.birmingham.ac.uk

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