Ukraine Digitizes Rare 19th-Century Quran to Preserve Islamic Heritage

Ukraine Digitizes Rare 19th-Century Quran to Preserve Islamic Heritage
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Ukraine has announced the digitization of one of its oldest and rarest Qurans, the Ostroh Manuscript, dating back to 1804. The project marks a major cultural step in preserving Islamic heritage in Eastern Europe and making it accessible to researchers and the public worldwide.

The original manuscript, penned by Ibn Adam Ali Mustafa in elegant Naskh script, features black ink for verses and red for numbering, with marginal notes in Ukrainian written in Arabic script—an uncommon reflection of historical cultural exchange between Muslims and Europeans in the 19th century.

The digitization effort was carried out under the “Ostroh Tatars” project, led by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea in cooperation with Ukrainian cultural institutions. Observers say the initiative not only safeguards a rare artifact but also highlights Islam’s enduring presence and contribution to Europe’s cultural and historical landscape.