Dubai: As part of The University of Birmingham UAE tour of its major interactive digital exhibition telling the fascinating story of the Birmingham Quran, the exhibit will roll out in Dubai for the first time at Dubai Design District (d3) from April 19 to May 3.
One of the oldest surviving Islamic manuscripts, the Birmingham Quran is considered a global treasure.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, viewed the exhibition in 2017 at the Sharjah International Book Festival (SIBF) as part of the UK-UAE 2017 Year of Creative Collaboration.
Some 25,000 people in total visited the exhibition in November at the SIBF and Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi, where they explored the manuscript in digital form as well as viewing a detailed replica of the holy script.
University of Birmingham vice-chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood said: “The Birmingham Quran manuscript is of huge significance to Muslim heritage and the academic study of Islam. We are immensely proud to host such a treasure at the University of Birmingham.
“Following the success of this interactive digital exhibition in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, where it was visited by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and thousands of people, we are honoured to bring the exhibition to Dubai.
“Together with the development of our campus in Dubai, this exhibition symbolises the university’s deep commitment to working with partners in the UAE to enhance academic opportunities and cultural understanding.”
The Birmingham Quran exhibition was a highlight of the UK-UAE 2017 Year of Creative Collaboration.
The University of Birmingham has worked closely with the British Council and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development as strategic partners, and d3 as a venue host, to bring the unique exhibition to the UAE.
