Centuries-Old Quran Manuscript in Thailand’s Narathiwat Among Region’s Most Precious Islamic Artefacts

Centuries-Old Quran Manuscript in Thailand’s Narathiwat Among Region’s Most Precious Islamic Artefacts
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A centuries-old Quran manuscript, believed to be over 1,000 years old, is being meticulously preserved and displayed at the Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Al-Quran Learning Centre in Narathiwat province, Thailand. The manuscript, produced during the Abbasid era, is one of the region’s most precious and historic Islamic artefacts.

Weighing around 50 kilograms, the manuscript consists of 346 sheets made from animal skin and written in ancient Kufi script using carbon-based ink. The ink was created using natural materials such as wood and date palm bark, reflecting the ingenuity of early Muslim communities in utilizing organic resources to produce the sacred text.

According to Nik Ilham Nik Yusup, a museum officer, the manuscript is an exceptional example of craftsmanship, made from specially sourced materials, including animal skins processed in Yemen’s Hadhramaut region. The manuscript’s journey from Yemen to Indonesia and finally to Thailand spans centuries, with the manuscript being preserved in Indonesia for over 500 years before arriving in Narathiwat in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the delicate nature of the animal skin pages and the original ink, preservation efforts are meticulous. The manuscript is cleaned and restored every six months using organic methods only, as modern chemicals could damage the original text.

The manuscript’s historical significance and the care taken in its preservation make it an invaluable treasure, both for Islamic civilization and the broader global heritage. The museum has implemented strict security measures to ensure its ongoing protection, including restrictions on touching the artefact by visitors.