World’s Largest Handwritten Quran Completed in Istanbul

Istanbul, 28 October 2025 — After six years of painstaking work, Iraqi calligrapher Ali Zaman has completed what is believed to be the world’s largest handwritten Quran, a monumental manuscript created entirely by hand in Istanbul.

Each page of the colossal work measures 4 meters by 1.5 meters, making it nearly twice the size of the previous record-holder. Written in thuluth, one of the most elegant and complex styles of Islamic calligraphy, the manuscript was crafted using only traditional reed pens and ink — with no digital tools involved.

Zaman, born in Sulaymaniyah in 1971, worked for years as a goldsmith before devoting himself fully to calligraphy. In 2017, he and his family moved to Istanbul’s Fatih district, long regarded as a centre of Ottoman art and craftsmanship.

Working in a small studio inside the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex, Zaman spent each day on the manuscript, often pausing only for prayers. The project was entirely self-funded, despite health setbacks and material shortages during the pandemic.

“It is a joy to create something few people would even attempt,” he told Anadolu Agency. “Every letter carries a piece of the soul and devotion behind it.”

Zaman’s work builds on a long lineage of Islamic artistry that has flourished in Türkiye for centuries. His dedication has earned him multiple international awards in Syria, Malaysia, Iraq, and Türkiye. He also holds an ijazah, a traditional calligraphy certification from master calligraphers, and was personally recognised by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2017 at the International Hilye-i Serif Competition.

His son, Rekar Zaman, said the family hopes to preserve the manuscript in Türkiye — a country that “values calligraphy and Islamic art more deeply than anywhere else.”

The completed Quran now stands as a remarkable fusion of faith, artistry, and perseverance, showcasing Istanbul’s enduring status as a global centre of calligraphy and cultural heritage.