Six Years of Devotion: Iraqi Calligrapher Pens Complete Quran by Hand

IQNA – The final ink has dried on a monumental undertaking: calligrapher Ali Zaman has completed a handwritten copy of the Quran, a process that demanded six years of unwavering patience, precision, and devotion.

According to TRT, the 54-year-old artist, who stood beside his creation at Istanbul’s Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, described finishing the manuscript as a source of immense pride and gratitude.

“Whenever I think about this Quran, I feel very happy. God gave me the life and strength to complete it,” he said.

The manuscript comprises 302 double-sided scrolls, each roughly four meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Crafted from specially produced sheets resembling thick parchment, the scrolls incorporate traditional materials such as eggs, corn starch and alum. Zaman worked daily from dawn to dusk in a small mosque room, carefully inscribing each sheet by hand.

Born in Ranya in northern Iraq, Zaman discovered his passion for calligraphy at age 12. He moved to Istanbul in 2017 to devote himself fully to the Quran project, noting that Turkey holds a deeper appreciation for the art.

While the manuscript is being called the world’s largest handwritten Quran, it has yet to be officially recognized, with Guinness World Records listing the largest printed Quran, produced in Mecca in 2025. Zaman hopes it will eventually be displayed in a museum or cultural space for public appreciation.

Source: deshkalnews.com