After generations of preservation at the Awwal Masjid in Cape Town, a copy of the historic Tuan Guru Quran, the first handwritten Quran in South Africa, has been handed over to the Al-Aqsa Library in Jerusalem.
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Imam Abdullah ibn Kadi (RA) reportedly transcribed this Quran in 1794, according to IOL.
The Jerusalem Endowments’ director general, Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, presided over the handover ceremony on Tuesday and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the kind gesture.
‘This mushaf will stay in our hearts and will be protected and will form part of a rich collection of manuscripts held in Al-Aqsa Library,’ he reportedly said.
Professor Mustafa Abu Sway, Integral Chair of Al Ghazli’s Works at Masjid Al Aqsa, and representatives from Awwul Masjid in Cape Town, the Noble Quran’s guardians, attended the handover.
Congregants at Masjid Al Aqsa, as well as online viewers, were said to have also attended the event.
In collaboration with Dr Azzam Abu Rayash, who was visiting the Imam of Masjid Al-Aqsa, the Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organisation facilitated the handover.
According to Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organisation chief executive Moulana Suhail Wadee, the copy is extremely important to the history of South Africa and the world as a whole.
According to IOL, Wadee explained the symbolic nature of the copy, stating that Imam Abdullah ibn Kadi wrote the Quran while imprisoned on Robben Island and was a South African freedom fighter.
‘The donation of the copy solidifies our commitment to the people of Palestine and their struggle,’ Wadee said.
He added, ‘It’s a magnificent piece of work, and only a few copies were made, and the original was written in the time where there were no printing technologies.’
Wadee went on to say that it is a show of solidarity from South Africans in response to the hardships that Palestinians are currently facing.
‘It was well received, and the people were excited, showing much appreciation. The people embraced this gesture, and we are glad. This also highlights the enduring connection between communities across continents through the preservation of Islamic heritage.’
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