World’s oldest Quran found at Birmingham University

Researchers at the UK’s University of Birmingham say they have found the world’s oldest manuscript of the Quran.

The fragments of the Muslim holy book are believed to date back to nearly 1,400 years. According to a radiocarbon analysis carried out by the University of Oxford, the parchment on which the text is written dates back to the period between 568CE and 645CE, close to the time of Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him and his progeny.

The manuscripts were found in Birmingham University’s library, after remaining there unrecognized for nearly a century.

It was decided to carry out a radiocarbon test only after a PhD student looked more closely at the pages of the Quran and concluded that they should be properly examined.

The fragments consist of parts of chapters 18 to 20 of the Quran, written in an early form of Arabic script known as Hijaz which is still clearly legible.

The pages of the world’s oldest Quran are expected to be on public display at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, from October 2 until October 25.