12th-century hijri Najdi-style Holy Quran showcases rich heritage at Riyadh Book Fair

At the Riyadh International Book Fair, a rare Quran manuscript written in the “Najdi” script, featuring part of Surah Al-Baqarah, dating back to the 12th century Hijri, was on display.

This valuable artifact is part of a vast collection of ancient books and manuscripts that embody the rich history and legacy of the past, preserved on pages that tell the stories of ancestors.

One of the standout pieces in the Hakami Library collection is the Najdi-script Quran, making it one of the most significant exhibits. The library, which has amassed rare books and manuscripts over years of passionate searching, also features a small manuscript of Ibn al-Hajib’s work on Arabic language—a rarity for its time when most manuscripts were large in size.

Some of the library’s most prized manuscripts date back over 400 years, including a manuscript from 1146 AH. The 2024 Riyadh International Book Fair, held from September 26 to October 5 under the theme “Riyadh Reads,” is a major cultural event, attracting publishers, authors, and intellectuals from around the world.