The Birmingham Qur’an manuscript is one of the earliest surviving fragments of the Qur’an and contains parts of surahs 18-20 of the Islamic holy book, written on parchment in an early form of Arabic script known as Hijazi. It is part of the Mingana Collection of 3000 Middle Eastern manuscripts, cared for by the Cadbury Research Library at the University of Birmingham. A replica is on display at the MIAH Foundation’s Islamic Arts Gallery in Balsall Heath as part of an exhibition on the history of the Qur’an and the art of calligraphy.
But now a new Culture Forward project, part of a programme exploring Birmingham’s connection to the Qur’an, is providing people across the city a chance to help create a new manuscript, hand-copied by the people of Birmingham – and beyond.
This is a brilliant opportunity for people across Birmingham no matter their religious background, to learn more about not only the Qur’an, but the traditional craftsmanship and techniques that go into creating manuscripts.
Dr Neelam Hussain, University of Birmingham and MIAH Foundation
Alongside an exhibition and various workshops hosted at the MIAH Islamic Arts Gallery, which is teaching members of the public about the different types of Arabic calligraphy featured in Qur’an manuscripts over the centuries, visitors are invited to transcribe some of the 6000 verses onto traditional multicoloured hand-finished calligraphy paper from Pakistan, which will form the new Birmingham Qur’an manuscript.
Dr Neelam Hussain, Director of the MIAH Foundation and Curator of Middle Eastern Manuscripts at the Cadbury Research Library, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for people across Birmingham no matter their religious background, to learn more about not only the Qur’an, but the traditional craftsmanship and techniques that go into creating manuscripts. We have a lot of verses that need to be transcribed so we want everyone to get involved and come and have a go.”
As well as the contents of the new Qur’an manuscript being written by the people of Birmingham, some of the inks and pigments used to finish the Qur’an are being sourced locally, including from Culture Forward partners at the Winterbourne House & Gardens and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
This project is a big part of our Qur’an in the City programme, and provides people across Birmingham an opportunity to create something one of a kind for the city to treasure.
Professor Sara Jones, University of Birmingham
After the verses have been transcribed the book will be handbound and stitched, using traditional techniques and local materials.
Dr Hussain continued: “The project aims to create an artefact that belongs to the city, something that has been created by, from and for the city, so it must have Birmingham running through as much as the finished manuscript as possible. I will be hand binding the final book myself using techniques such as gathering and hand sewing, which is how Qur’ans have been traditionally finished.”
The MIAH Islamic Arts Gallery holds regular workshops every Saturday 12-2pm in Balsall Heath, usually suitable from age 11 plus. The exhibition is open on Thursdays and Fridays (12pm-6pm) and Saturdays (2pm-6pm), Everyone is welcome to contribute to the transcription of the Qur’an during exhibition opening hours. You can register for tickets here.
Professor Sara Jones, Interim Academic Director of Culture Forward, commented: “Culture Forward aims to increase engagement with our rare and precious cultural collections, such as the Birmingham Qur’an.
