500-year-old miniature document top attraction at Madinah exhibition

JEDDAH: The King Abdul Aziz Foundation will put on display next week a 500-year-old miniature manuscript, according to the SPA.
The manuscript is one of the oldest documents owned by the foundation.
The miniature, a decorative painting on a manuscript, will be displayed at an exhibition in Madinah along with many other local, Ottoman and foreign documents about the holy city. The exhibition is organized by the foundation in association with the Madinah Development Authority and will open on Sept. 6.
The Exhibition of Madinah Manuscripts will have a number of rare documents of historical significance about Madinah; they will be displayed for the first time for researchers as well as visitors. Twelve libraries from the Kingdom and abroad will participate in the exhibition with the support of Saudi Aramco.
At the event, the foundation will highlight Madinah’s development over centuries. The exhibition will also focus on the rich libraries of Al-Saud era.
The exhibition will also focus on manuscripts of early Islam, verses of the Holy Qur’an on various items such as leaves, stones and bones. It will highlight the Holy Qur’an’s final compilation during the time of Caliph Othman bin Affan. A collection of the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, will enrich visitors’ experience.
Using high-quality photographs, the foundation has documented in a huge volume the details of manuscripts present in the cabinets of the Holy Mosque and in libraries of schools, including those of the 8th century Al-Shihabiya School. According to reports, there were 124 libraries spread all across Madinah in the early Al-Saud era.