World’s Largest Handwritten Quran Completed in Türkiye After Six Years of Dedication

Istanbul: A former Iraqi goldsmith has completed the **world’s largest handwritten copy of the Holy Quran** in Türkiye after six years of meticulous effort. The manuscript’s pages measure an astounding **4 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width**, making it the largest of its kind ever produced.

According to Turkish media, **Ali Zaman**, born in 1971 in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, developed a passion for **Islamic calligraphy** at a young age. After years working as a goldsmith, he left the profession in 2013 to fully dedicate himself to calligraphy.

In 2017, Zaman moved with his family to **Istanbul**, where he began working on his ambitious project inside a small room at the **Mahrem Sultan Mosque**. Despite health challenges in 2023 that temporarily halted his progress, Zaman persisted and has now successfully completed the monumental work.

The Quran was written entirely **by hand using a traditional reed pen**, without the aid of any modern tools. Every letter was carefully crafted with precision and devotion.

The newly completed manuscript surpasses the previous record-holder, which measured approximately **2.28 meters in length and 1.55 meters in width**.

Zaman has won several **international calligraphy awards** in Syria, Malaysia, Iraq, and Türkiye. In 2017, he received the **“Distinction” Award** from President **Recep Tayyip Erdoğan** during Türkiye’s International *Hilye-i Şerif* competition.

Speaking about his achievement, Ali Zaman said, *“Creating something of this magnitude is a source of great joy — an accomplishment that very few can experience.”* He added that his family plans to **preserve the Quran in Türkiye**, ensuring it continues to celebrate and showcase the **rich heritage of Islamic calligraphy**.