Turkish calligrapher Mehmet Özçay, whose signature is in the Kaaba, donates his Mushaf

World-renowned Turkish calligrapher Mehmet Özçay, whose writing is featured in the Kaaba, has donated the handwritten original of the "Mehmet Özçay Mushaf," prepared through meticulous work spanning many years, to the Department of Manuscript Mushafs of the Presidency of the Turkish Manuscripts Institution.

The Artist's Years of Great Effort

Mehmet Özçay, one of the world-renowned names in the art of calligraphy, began writing the "Mehmet Özçay Mushaf" in 1986 upon an offer from a publishing house. After four and a half years of effort, completing his first Mushaf in the early months of 1991, the artist rewrote the first six and a half juz' of the work due to artistic development in his writing.

Historic Donation to TÜYEK

The work, which emerged as a result of the artist's years of effort and was written on independent white matte coated papers measuring 35 by 50 centimeters for publication, was presented as a gift to his nation. This donation holds the distinction of being the first manuscript work endowed to the relevant department.

Statements by the Minister and Officials

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy drew attention to Özçay's contribution to the art of calligraphy and the preservation of cultural heritage. Stating that the work will be meticulously preserved and promoted through scientific publications, Ersoy emphasized that this meaningful donation holds great value in terms of cultural heritage.

Entrusted to the Süleymaniye Library

Mehmet Özçay expressed his great happiness in endowing his work to the institution where he is a member of the scholarly committee. Following the official delivery ceremony, the work was entrusted to the Süleymaniye Manuscript Library and taken under protection.