MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Deer Hide Qurans
Ref 2006-15
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1. Summary
Since the Quran is the book of the Muslims, has great influence on Muslims the world over and is the
book guiding them to a prosperous life, "Astan-Qods-Razavi Organization for Libraries, Museums and
Archives Centres" has in mind to have its collection of deer's hide Qurans, ascribed to the descendants
of the prophet (AS), nominated for inscription on the Memory of the World Register for their
outstanding specifications listed as below:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Number of copies available of the holy Quran: 8
Markings: Four copies marked and four without markings
Paper: Deer's hide
Uniqueness: The Qurans are famous for being ascribed to the descendants of the Holy Prophet
and a witness to this claim is the certification by great Muslim scholars and paleographists.
2. Details o the Nominator
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
Astan Qods Razavi Central Library affiliated to Astan-Qods-Razavi Organization for Libraries,
Museums and Archives Centres
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Owner of the collection mentioned above.
2.3
Contact person (s)
Astan Qods Razavi Central Library, Bureau for Manuscripts: Mr Fazel Hashemi, Mr Vafadar Moradi
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
Imam Reza (AS) Holy Shrine
Central Library,
PO Box: 177
Mashhad, Iran
Tel: 0511 225 98 35
Fax: 0511 222 08 45
E-mail: info@aqlibrary.org
fadhel@aqrazavi.net
vafadarmorady@yahoo.com
3. Identity and description of the documentary heritage
3.1
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
The Exact description of the deer's hide Qurans, ascribed to the descendants of the Prophet (AS),
available at Astan Qods Razavi Central Library is attached.
3.2
Description
8 Deer Hide Quran
List of the Deer's Hide QuransAscribed to the Descendants of the Holy Prophet (AS) available at
Astan Qods Razavi Central Library
Row
1
Property Number
Quran 1
2
Quran 6
3
Quran 7
4
Quran 13
5
Quran 1586
6
Quran 16
7
Quran 2
8
Quran 10
Explanation
Ali bin Abitaleb, First
Imam (ascribed to)writer/ Atighi,
Mohammad AliBinder/ Sheikh Bahaei,
Mohammad bin
Hossein- writer of the
donation note
Abbas Safavid, King of
Iran-Donor/Sheikh
Bahaeei- Writer/ Ali
bin Abitaleb, First
Imam- Writer/ Seif-aldowleh- Donation
Custodian
Seif-al-dowlehDonation Custodianannounced
Hassan bin Ali, Second
Imam (A)- Writer/
Sheikh Bahaei,
Mohammad bin
Hossein- Writer of the
Donation Letter/
Hossein (Binder of the
Holy Library)- Binder/
Seif –al-dowleh Custodian
Ali bin Mosa-al-Reza,
Eighth Imam- Writer
Ali bin Hossein, Fourth
Imam-Writer/Sheikh
Bahaeei-Writer of the
Donation Letter
Musa bin Jafar,
Seventh Imam-Writer
Ali bin Abitaleb, First
Imam (ascribed to)Writer/Sheikh Bahaeei,
Mohammad bin
Hossein-Writer of the
Donation Letter/
Hassani al Hosseini,
Javad (zahirolislam)Writer of the note's first
page
Donor
Abbas I Safavid, King
of Iran
(1038-978)
Abbas Safavid, King of
Iran, Donatation note
behind page 1
Abbas I Safavid, King
of Iran (1.38-978)
Donation through
Ayatollah Milani
Abbas I Safavid, King
of Iran (1038-978)
Abbas safavid, King of
Iran (1038-978)
4. Justification for inclusion/ assessment against criteria
4.1
Authenticity
According to specialists' report it is authentic. Based on Codicological data, the manuscripts are
historically valid.
4.2
World significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability
Given the global reputation of Astan Qods Razavi Central Library, as a treasury for old Qurans of the
Islamic Civilization, the uniqueness and irreplaceability of these Qurans is established.
3.3
Criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form and style
Provide an explanation against each criterion selected. Attach separate statement if space insufficient.
Time wise, these Qurans date back to the early Islamic era. Place wise, they were written in the birth
place of Islam, Medina and Kufa. People wise, these holy scripts were prepared by descendants of the
Holy Prophet (AS), confined in by all Muslims. On the other hand, Quran is a book influential on the
lives, behaviour and actions of all Muslims. Style wise the mentioned collection dates back to the early
periods of Muslim writings and civilization. This collection is written in Kuffi handwriting on deer's
hide.
3.4
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
Attach a separate statement if space insufficient.
Given the well arranged preservation and restoration methods/techniques available at the
Organization, any possibility of threat to the manuscripts is very low. This collection is for sure rare
and authentic in its ascription to the descendants of the Holy Prophet (AS).
5
Legal information
5.1.
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
Astan Qods Razavi Central Library
5.2.1.
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner) Astan
Qods Razavi Organization for Libraries, Museums and Archives Centres.
5.3
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership
Part of the Organization's donated property.
(b) Accessibility
By means of CDs, Microfilms and photographs
(c) Copyright status
Astan Qods Razavi Organisation for Libraries, Museums and Archives Centres
(d) Responsible administration
Central Library Bureau for Manuscripts
(e) Other factors
6. Management plan
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage? YES/NO
If yes, attach a summary of the plan. If no, please attach further details about current storage and
custody of the materials.
Yes, like many other items in Astan Qods Razavi, this collection is also subject to the general
management plan, which is applied to the whole of the Central Library. In addition to this particular
measures are also taken with respect to this Collection.
7. Consultation
7.1
Provide details of consultation about this nomination with (a) the owner of the heritage (b) the
custodian (c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee.
While submitting this proposal to the National Commission, Astan Qods Razavi asked for its
reflection to UNESCO.
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8. Assessment of risk
8.1
Detail the nature and scope of threats to this documentary heritage (see 5.5).
Given the efforts exerted into preserving this Collection by Astan Qods Razavi, the possibility of any
threat to this Collection is very weak.
9. Assessment of preservation
9.1
Detail the preservation context of the documentary heritage (see 3.3)
This Collection is intensively preserved by Astan Qods Razavi
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name)
Dr Ali Mohammad Baradaran Rafeei, Director of the Organization
(Signature)………………………………… (Date) 15 March 2006………………………