WNAM REPORT: A historic agreement has been signed at Allama Iqbal Open University regarding the preservation, documentation and scholarly revival of Qur’anic manuscripts. The purpose of this agreement is to safeguard this great intellectual and spiritual heritage in line with modern requirements and to transmit it to future generations. This agreement is not only a revolutionary step toward preserving Qur’anic treasures in digital and research-based formats but will also provide new direction to the academic world.
The agreement was reached between the Department of Qur’an and Tafseer at Allama Iqbal Open University and Pakistan’s renowned Digital Quranics Manuscripts Project. Under this landmark collaboration both parties expressed their commitment to aligning the scholarly and research heritage of Qur’an and Tafseer with contemporary digital standards.
The agreement was signed by Project Head Prof. Dr. Muhammad Samiullah on behalf of Quranics while Prof. Dr. Shah Mohyuddin Hashmi, Dean Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies on behalf of Allama Iqbal Open University.
According to the agreement, workshops, seminars and research activities at BS, MS, MPhil, and PhD levels will be promoted. Scholarships and research opportunities will also be provided for faculty and students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Samiullah said:
“We will collect comprehensive data on ancient Qur’anic manuscripts available across Pakistan, centralize it, subject it to scientific analysis and research and later digitize it to make it publicly accessible on an open-source global platform.”
Dean Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prof. Dr. Shah Mohyuddin Hashmi, in his address, said:
“This new dimension in Qur’anic research is an important beginning that will open new avenues of study and reveal new horizons before the academic world.”
Chairman of Qur’an and Tafseer, Dr. Sanaullah remarked:
“This agreement will not only highlight Pakistan’s academic and research wealth at the global level but will also illuminate new possibilities in Qur’anic scholarship. By the Dean’s guidance, this agreement has been put into action, and it will serve as a milestone in future scholarly and research endeavors.”
126
