That's some ' For Safe-keeping'!

adey
By adey

Erm? He has only kept it for a year, what's he going to do with the money?

$4.3 million offer for 400-year-old Quran
Web posted at: 10/8/2007 3:57:46
Source ::: The Peninsula

DOHA • A Qatari national who was handed as a gift a 400-year-old copy of a handwritten Holy Quran by a Yemeni Islamic scholar in Makkah last Ramadan says he is getting offers of up to $4.3m to part with the rare book.

"I might agree to part with it if I get a good offer. The last offer I got was for $4.3m," said Saeed Ali Al Suwaidi.

He said he went to Makkah in Ramadan last year and had a chance meeting with a Yemeni Islamic scholar. "We began talking after a preliminary introduction. He told me that he had a rare copy of a Holy Quran. It was handwritten and a little less than 400 years old. He asked me if I would accept it for safekeeping."

The scholar told Al Suwaidi that it was a great calligraphic work and took Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Qassem Al Aqwa five years to complete it in 1034 Hijri.

The paper used is thick and shiny and has a long life. It has footnotes interpreting some verses. "I agreed to accept the copy for I felt I was being blessed. It was a huge responsibility."

Al Suwaidi said that after he took the copy his life changed and he became a happier man. "I took immense care and preserved the manuscript so sunlight and moist air did not spoil it. It was a proud possession and the most valuable asset of my life."

But soon word spread about it and he began getting offers. Three people, each from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, approached him. One of them offered him $4.3m to part with it but he did not.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 22:50
Muhammed12

Ur got the point...What u say can also be possible!

Ramadan kareem.

By stealth• 8 Oct 2007 22:49
stealth

This was basically old news. This thing was reported during last Ramadhan

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 20:10
Muhammed12

deeply*

Ramadan kareem.

By adey• 8 Oct 2007 20:06
adey

I don't go to mythical places with strange men.

-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 20:04
Muhammed12

The man who gave him will be deply hurt if he sells it that way!

Ramadan kareem.

By adey• 8 Oct 2007 19:58
adey

Yep you're right.

Works of art/cultural/historical importance belong to the nation/culture/people.

Maybe he was/is hoping that the emir will purchase it for the new museum on the Corniche. But I think he should give it free as he got it for free.

I don't go to mythical places with strange men.

-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 19:49
Muhammed12

Am I not rite?...take a look here itself!..musuem is better so the general public get a chance to see the rare Holy Quran.People like novita will have their doubts cleared if they c with their own eyes!

Ramadan kareem.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 19:48
Muhammed12

Ur rite, I knew it but it was a silly doubt and just wanted to know ur opinion. Even if he is gonna sell it and use the money for charitable purpose, Its better to give it to a museum so that the public can view it instead of giving it to someone and having it at their home.

Ramadan kareem.

By novita77• 8 Oct 2007 19:44
novita77

can you read that holly book without worrying might make it fall into pieces?

By adey• 8 Oct 2007 19:42
adey

for safe keeping would be happy about him selling it for millions after one year?

He should pass it on again for free (like he got it)or use All the money for a charitable cause (he may be doing that for all I know).

The article in the paper sounded (to me) like he was advertising for a larger bid.

I don't go to mythical places with strange men.

-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 19:37
Muhammed12

Just a doubt. Is it ok to sell?...wat is ur opinion?

Ramadan kareem.

By adey• 8 Oct 2007 19:23
adey

I agree with you, but it was GIVEN (free) to him for SAFE KEEPING and ONE YEAR later he is thinking of SELLING it for $4.3 MILLION.

I don't go to mythical places with strange men.

-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

By Muhammed12• 8 Oct 2007 19:17
Rating: 2/5
Muhammed12

he is really so lucky to have the oppurtunity to have a 400 year old holy Quran under his responsibility!

Ramadan kareem.

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