The Odyssey of the oldest Qur’an in the Royal Library of Morocco with Dr. Éléonore Cellard explores the history of Morocco’s oldest preserved Qur’anic manuscript—a rare, single-volume codex written in Kufic script and dating back to the 2nd AH / 8th century CE. Likely of Eastern origin and sometimes attributed to Caliph ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, the manuscript travelled westward over the centuries before finding its place in the Royal Library.
Remarkably intact until the late 20th century, it later suffered extensive fragmentation, leading to the disappearance of numerous folios—many of which have since surfaced on the art market. Using archival photographs and direct examination, Dr Cellard retraces the manuscript’s journey and highlights the challenges of preserving ancient Islamic heritage.
Monday, April 28 · 5 – 7pm
Aga Khan Centre, 10 Handyside Street London N1C 4DN United Kingdom
More information on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-odyssey-of-the-oldest-quran-in-the-royal-library-of-morocco-tickets-1306721482129?aff=oddtdtcreator
(Credits: Bergsträsser archives, www.corpuscoranicum.de)
