At the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), visitors are witnessing a remarkable process: the meticulous restoration of a centuries-old Quran by experts from the UAE National Archives. Working under bright lamps, conservators don gloves and magnifying lenses, using brushes, tweezers, and delicate Japanese paper to breathe new life into the fragile manuscript. ‘We are not rewriting history; we are preserving it,’ emphasized a senior restorer at the UAE National Library and Archives booth. The Quran, riddled with holes, missing pages, and faded ink, is being carefully repaired with natural adhesives and fine tissue, ensuring its longevity without altering its historical integrity. The restoration process, which can take days or weeks, involves flattening warped pages with controlled warm air and drying them under special sheets to prevent curling. Once restored, the Quran will be stored in a temperature-controlled archive, its age-old stains and tears preserved as testaments to its history. This live demonstration not only showcases the UAE’s commitment to preserving Islamic heritage but also educates visitors on the delicate art of manuscript conservation.
Look: UAE experts bring centuries-old Quran back to life at Sharjah book fair
