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300-year-old gold-leaf Quran to be displayed at museum
A 300-year-old 'Golden Quran', with its pages in the shape of gold leaves, the ancestral and prized possession of a Muslim family, may soon become the centrepiece of a national museum, but the family is not complaining about 'losing' the valuable document.
A 300-year-old 'Golden Quran', with its pages in the shape of gold leaves, the ancestral and prized possession of a Muslim family, may soon become the centrepiece of a national museum, but the family is not complaining about 'losing' the valuable document.
Sajid Hamid, 55, told IANS over the telephone: "I feel privileged that our ancestral Quran has been identified as a valuable manuscript and that it may be placed in a national museum."
Sajid Hamid, the eldest of the family, is a resident of the Ruhatta colony in Jaunpur and teaches at a school there.
Officials from the National Mission for Manuscripts, set up by the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry and District authorities, visited the Hamid home and told them that their 'Sunheri (golden) Quran' has a unique heritage value and if acquired it would enrich the manuscript wealth of the country.
The speciality of this Quran is that its pages are in the form of gold leaves. The cover of this holy scripture is also made of gold and has intricate designs embossed on it.
According to the family, the 'Sunheri Quran' has been with them for the last five generations.
"My father used to tell me that the Quran was prepared by a group of artists, who worked for rich people or those belonging to royal families. They used to charge a hefty amount for their work," said Hamid,
"My ancestors had this Quran prepared after one of their wishes came true. They did not have enough money, and raised money by mortgaging several valuables, which were later acquired by the moneylenders when my ancestors could not pay back their loans,'' he added.
The 'Sunheri Quran' has become the centre of attraction for the people in not only the Ruhatta colony, but across Jaunpur and its adjoining districts. Though Hamid allows everyone to see the Quran, he does not allow anyone, including family to touch it.
"I do not allow anyone to touch the Quran as it is a very old book and even the slightest mishap could damage it," he said.
Hamid's neighbours don't feel bad about it. "We know the significance and importance this Quran holds for Hamid. We hope that the Quran gets a place in a museum and becomes a national pride," said Abdul Ateeq, the owner of a mobile phone shop in Ruhatta, told IANS.
Ahmad Raza, another local, said, "During religious festivals, especially, the Muslims of our locality line up outside Hamid's residence to view the scripture."
