tag

Dr Engineer Muslim Amini, owner of Globe Art Qatar, revealed the display of a rare Ottoman Sultanic Qur’an, over 600 years old and priced at more than QR1mn, as part of the company's participation in the Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) 2026.He confirmed that the Qur’an is written in gold ink and is among the rarest pieces on display this year, alongside hundreds of manuscripts, rare books, and artefacts that document various stages of Islamic and world history.Speaking to the press, Dr Amini said: "The stories don't end at the shelves of modern books or book signings. Within the halls of the exhibition and in the Globe Art pavilion, there are gateways to the memory of ancient civilisations, kingdoms, and journeys."He pointed out that among these treasures are a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and ancient artefacts, creating a scene reminiscent of a mobile historical museum.Dr Amini noted that the pavilion also includes rare artefacts and antiquities, such as swords, daggers, historical carpets, and other heritage items, some of which are being displayed to the public in Qatar for the first time.He pointed out that the prices of the pieces vary according to their historical value and rarity, ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of riyals, with some exceeding one million riyals.Dr Amini emphasised that this Qur'an represents a rare example of Islamic calligraphy and ornamentation from the Ottoman era. It was meticulously handwritten and decorated with intricate designs using gold, making it a piece that combines religious, artistic, and historical value. 

Katara Cultural Village has honoured the top three winners of the inaugural Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archaeological Sites 2024 at a ceremony attended by scholars and cultural figures.The first prize was awarded to Syrian researcher Walid al-Suraqbi, while Egyptian researchers Ahmed Abdelbaset and Ahmed Abdelsattar shared second place. The third prize went to Noha Hussein al-Hefnawi, also from Egypt. The event also recognised members of the award’s judging panel — Dr Omar al-Ajli, Dr Mohammed al-Rahawi and Dr Samir Qaddouri — as well as Abdullah Mohammed Bilal, head of Mauritania’s manuscript house association, for his efforts in preserving Arab manuscript heritage.Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, Katara’s General Manager, said the award reflects Katara’s commitment to reviving Arab and Islamic manuscript heritage as an essential part of cultural identity and intellectual history. He added that the initiative complements Katara’s other major literary awards, including those for the novel, Arabic poetry, and the Prophet’s Poet.

The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) announced that it will hold an award ceremony to honor the winners of the first edition of the Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archaeological Sites for 2024. The ceremony will be held on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 30, in Hall 15.The ceremony will include the unveiling of the winning research papers, which will be published by Katara Publishing House. President of the Mauritanian Association for the Preservation of Arabic Heritage and the Environment and Combating Extremism, Abdullah Mohammed Bilal, will also be honored in recognition of his organization's exhibition of Arabic Manuscripts. The exhibition featured a distinguished collection of literary and historical manuscripts and was held in conjunction with the 10th Katara Festival for Arabic Novels, which ran from October 13–20, 2024.The award committee selected three winners: Syrian researcher Walid Al Saraqbi, who won in first place with a cash prize of USD 20,000 for his verified manuscript titled "Tadhkirat Al Nahhat by Abu Hayyan." Second place went to Egyptian researchers Ahmed Abdel Basset and Ahmed Abdel Sattar with their verified manuscript entitled "Ma Wasala Min Al-Jami' Al-Mustaqsa Fi Fadhail Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa by Ibn Asakir (600 AH)." The two researchers will receive a cash prize of USD 15,000.In third place was Egyptian researcher Nuha Hussein Al Hafnawi for her verified manuscript entitled "Tuhfat Al-Adab Fi Al-Rihlah Min Damietta Ila Al-Sham Wa Halab by Ahmed Al Adhami (1159 AH)," with a cash prize of USD 10,000.The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) launched the first edition of the Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archaeological Sites on March 11, 2024. The award comprises two categories: the first for an investigation of an original, previously unpublished manuscript, and the second for the best research study on archaeological sites or landmarks in the Arab region, subject to specific conditions.This award aims to encourage manuscript owners, experts, and specialists in manuscript editing to share and widely disseminate their collections and research efforts, thereby enhancing Arab and Islamic culture. It also contributes to encouraging Arabic publishing and urging publishers to contribute to the advancement of the Arab mind and enrich Arab culture with new and distinctive content, keeping pace with contemporary issues.