After six years of unwavering dedication, former Iraqi goldsmith and master calligrapher Ali Zaman has completed what is believed to be the world’s largest handwritten Quran. The monumental manuscript, crafted entirely by hand in Istanbul, features pages measuring an astounding 4 meters long by 1.5 meters wide—surpassing all previously known handwritten Qurans.
Zaman, who relocated to Türkiye with his family in 2017 to pursue his passion for Islamic art, poured six years of meticulous labor into the project. Working alone in a small room within Istanbul’s Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex, he used only traditional reed pens to painstakingly transcribe the entire text in the graceful thuluth script, avoiding all modern tools.
A Testament to Dedication and Faith
The immense scale of the manuscript, which spans three meters wide when opened, symbolizes a profound commitment to faith and the preservation of Islamic calligraphy.
The ambitious, self-funded project was not without severe challenges. Zaman continued his work despite facing serious health challenges in 2023, which forced a temporary pause in his calligraphy. He completed the manuscript independently, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and self-reliance.
Zaman’s decision to pursue this feat in Türkiye reflects the country’s deep appreciation and historic tradition of calligraphy and Islamic art. The family hopes the completed Quran will remain in Türkiye, serving as a lasting tribute to devotion and craftsmanship.
The masterpiece is expected to become a global benchmark in religious art, honoring the rich legacy of Islamic culture.
