Makkah Museum Showcases Rare Quran Manuscript Designed in Ship Form
- Mar 31
- 1 min read
MAKKAH, March 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A rare Quran manuscript preserved in Saudi Arabia is drawing attention in Makkah after the Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District highlighted a copy written in the form of a ship, an example of historic Islamic manuscript design and calligraphic innovation.
The piece is believed to date to the 11th century CE, or the 5th century AH, placing it among early surviving works that illustrate how Quranic manuscripts were also used as a field for artistic expression alongside religious preservation.
The manuscript is now held by the King Abdulaziz Library, which maintains collections of rare Islamic works and manuscripts for preservation and research access.
Museum information on the piece indicates that the copy has undergone visible material change over time, with parts of the original script shifting in tone from black to brown as the manuscript aged.
Additional red markings were introduced later to aid recitation, pointing to continued care over the manuscript’s use and readability across different periods.
The presentation of the work at the museum highlights a lesser-seen dimension of Islamic heritage in which calligraphy, manuscript design and preservation history intersect in a single object.
