Al-Qarawiyyin University Highlights History of Qur’an Manuscript Tradition in Morocco

Al-Qarawiyyin University Highlights History of Qur’an Manuscript Tradition in Morocco
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A new academic volume documenting the history and development of the Qur’an manuscript tradition in Morocco has recently been published under the title “The History of the Holy Qur’an Manuscript in Morocco: Studies in Its Sciences Between the Lines of Script and the Beauty of Illumination.”

The book compiles proceedings from an international scientific symposium organized on December 3–4, 2024, in Rabat by the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Publication of the Holy Qur’an, in cooperation with the Mohammed VI Institute for Qur’anic Readings and Studies.

The publication opens with remarks by the president of University of al-Qarawiyyin, who emphasized Morocco’s longstanding tradition of preserving the Qur’an both through memorization and meticulous written transmission. It also features a foreword by the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, highlighting the historical and spiritual depth of Morocco’s Qur’anic heritage.

Scholars and manuscript specialists contributed research exploring the distinct characteristics of the Moroccan muṣḥaf, including codicological and historical studies of Qur’anic manuscripts. Contributors noted that classical Moroccan sources remain foundational references for Qur’an review committees worldwide.

Participants concluded that the Moroccan muṣḥaf represents not only a religious text but also a refined artistic tradition, reflecting centuries of expertise in calligraphy and manuscript illumination.