Istanbul Mushaf Exhibition Opens in Konya

The "Istanbul Mushaf" exhibition, prepared over eight years by Calligrapher Hüseyin Kutlu and a 66-member team under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was opened with the hosting of Konya Metropolitan Municipality.

In the opening program of the "Istanbul Mushaf" exhibition held at the Tantavi Cultural Center of Meram Municipality, Meram Mayor Mustafa Kavuş stated that the Quran was revealed to all of humanity. He said, "The perfection of what has been done can actually be described as a masterpiece. Every point, comma, and ornament of the 15-century journey has traces. The most important thing is that we all need to read, understand, and of course, live the Quran, whose teachings, prohibitions, and rules never change."

Karatay Mayor Hasan Kılca, emphasizing that the "Istanbul Mushaf" is a highly valuable work, said, "Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, 'The best among you are those who learn and teach the Quran.' Works like this contribute to both learning and teaching. I congratulate everyone who contributed to this exhibition, especially my teacher Hüseyin. I also thank our hosts, particularly Mayor Uğur and Mayor Mustafa."

Konya Metropolitan Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay reminded that the Seljuk capital, Konya, has been a center of knowledge, wisdom, and art throughout history, hosting many great scholars, artists, and thinkers, from Mevlana to Sadreddin-i Konevi.

Mayor Altay, noting that they continue to bridge the past and future by preserving this heritage, said, "On the first day of Ramadan, we opened the Sacred Relics Exhibition at the Stone Building. Today, we are opening the Istanbul Mushaf exhibition for the benefit of our citizens and visitors. The Istanbul Mushaf, with the approval and guidance of our President, has been meticulously prepared by our esteemed calligrapher and fellow citizen Hüseyin Kutlu and his team. It has become a special work that brings together the beauty of the Quran with art. We are presenting a piece of history here with you. We are also proud that this work bears the signature of the people of Konya."

The "Istanbul Mushaf" exhibition, which aims to examine the 15th-century journey of Islamic civilization from the perspective of "History of Mushaf Arts," features 11 different calligraphy styles: Kufi, Mashriq Kufi, Tezyini Kufi, Kayrevan Kufi, Maghrebi, Muhaqqaq, Reyhani, Thuluth, Naskh, Ta'lik, and Ijaza.

Hüseyin Kutlu's special collection of handwritten Qur'ans will be open for visitors at the Tantavi Cultural Center until April 30, 2025.