Part of world's largest Holy Quran showcased at Expo 2020 Dubai

A part of the world's largest Holy Quran, which was unveiled at the Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday, attracted a large crowd outside the Pakistan Pavilion as visitors thronged the pavilion to see the one-of-its-kind project.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood inaugurated the work done by award-wining artist Shahid Rassam who cast Surah-e-Rahman on a high-quality canvas with aluminum and gold-plated script.

Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE Afzaal Mahmood, senior officials of Expo 2020, diplomats, and corporate executives also attended the event.

Shahid Rassam, a former UAE expatriate, said that the artefact was unique and innovative for various reasons.

"I have not written the Holy Quran with colour or ink. The words are cast on canvas with aluminum and gold-plated words for the first time in Islamic history," he said.

"Surah-e-Rahman, the heart of Holy Quran, is showcased on six pages. First two pages have only five lines on each page, while the rest four pages have 10 lines on each page. There are a total of 50 lines in Surah-e-Rahman," Rassam said, adding that 15kg of aluminum and more than one kilogram of gold had been used to cast Surah-e-Rahman on the special canvas.

Surah Rehman, displayed at the Dubai Expo 2020 at the Pakistan Pavilion. PHOTO: EXPRESS

The project was completed in almost four months with the help of 200 artists, painters, calligraphers, designers and sculptors.

Rassam will be using about 200kg gold and 2,000kg aluminum to cast around 80,000 words on 550 pages to complete the rest of the Holy Quran.

Each page will have 150 words and the artist is committed to completing the project as soon as possible after showcasing part of it at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Dubai-based entrepreneur Irfan Mustafa sponsored the project and also convinced Rassam to share his work at Expo 2020.

Irfan thanked the media for their support in bringing international attention to the project, as well as an appreciation for it at the expo.

Read World’s largest gold plated Holy Quran in the making

"Rassam has done a great job by completing Surah-e-Rahman on such short notice. I'm sure Expo visitors will appreciate the hard work done by Rassam and his team," he said, adding that he wanted peoples' support to highlight the completion of this unique project.

Irfan also requested the government to come forward and patronise this great project and asked big institutions and the private sector for their support.

Legendary writer Anwar Maqsood also praised the project, stating that Rassam was a gifted artist who he had known for more than three decades.

“The world’s largest gold-plated Quran is a wonder and a precious gift for not only Muslims but also for the entire world of art,” he said.

Maqsood emphasised that the government of Pakistan should patronise the “honourable” project.

He also requested the Aga Khan Foundation to help complete the project, adding that a Quran Museum should be built for the project.

“This is a matter of great pride for not only Shahid Rassam and his team, but also our country Pakistan,” Anwar Maqsood added.

Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili also applauded the “great” effort of Shahid Rassam and his team.