“Al-Mushaf Al-Muhammadi”: A Unique Quran Manuscript Penned by Over 75,000 Moroccan Women Displayed in Sharjah

“Al-Mushaf Al-Muhammadi”: A Unique Quran Manuscript Penned by Over 75,000 Moroccan Women Displayed in Sharjah
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In a remarkable testament to the deep connection between Arab women and the Holy Quran, the Sharjah Quranic Museum is currently exhibiting a one-of-a-kind Quran manuscript, written by more than 75,000 Moroccan women. The extraordinary project, known as Al-Mushaf Al-Muhammadi, was initiated by Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs as part of a national literacy program for women graduates.

Handwritten in the traditional Moroccan script and following the Warsh narration, the manuscript features intricate botanical motifs inspired by Moroccan heritage. Each woman contributed by copying at least one word from the Quran’s approximately 77,000 words. The collective writing effort culminated in a final version printed in Austria in 2015, with a special copy presented to King Mohammed VI in recognition of the educational and spiritual effort behind it.

The Al-Mushaf Al-Muhammadi is now showcased in the Museum of Rare Qurans—one of seven museums within the Sharjah Quranic Complex—which houses over 500 rare manuscripts from various Islamic periods, including the Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman, and Asian eras, illustrating the diversity of Islamic calligraphy and spiritual traditions.

Dr. Faisal Al-Suwaidi, Director of the Museum and Institutional Communication Departments, emphasized that this manuscript is more than a rare artifact. It represents a powerful story of education and collective female will, highlighting the pivotal role women play in preserving and disseminating Quranic values. He noted that its inclusion in the collection strengthens the complex’s mission of education and cultural enrichment in the region.