Beit Al Quran: A Sanctuary of Islamic Art and History

Beit Al Quran (House of Quran) is a multi-purpose complex in Manama, Bahrain, dedicated to Islamic arts. Established in 1990 by Dr. Abdul Latif Jassim Kanoo, the complex promotes Islamic heritage and houses one of the world's most renowned Islamic museums. Kanoo, an avid collector of Quranic manuscripts and Islamic art, felt a strong responsibility to preserve these rare works and donated his collection to establish the museum. The museum's architecture blends traditional Islamic elements with modern design, featuring slender minarets, a domed roof, and walls imprinted with artistic Kufic script. The complex includes a mosque, library, auditorium, a school for Quranic studies, and ten exhibition halls. A large stained-glass dome covers the grand hall and mosque, while the Mihrab in the mosque is adorned with blue ceramic tiles engraved with the Al Qursi verse. The Al Hayat Museum displays rare Quranic manuscripts from the 7th century AD, including those on parchment from Mecca, Medina, Damascus and Baghdad. Special preservation procedures protect these manuscripts from damage. Exhibits also include a rare Quran manuscript printed in Germany in 1694 and the oldest Latin translation of the Quran from Switzerland, dating back to 1548. The library contains over 60,000 books and manuscripts in Arabic, English, and French, primarily focused on Quranic studies. Visitors can also admire exquisite gold, copper, ceramic, and glass artifacts from Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Egypt. Beit Al Quran is not only a museum but also a center for education and research. The Al Hayat School offers Quranic studies, and the library provides resources for researchers. The institution hosts seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to promote Islamic arts and culture.