DUSHANBE, September 5, Asia-Plus – RIA Novosti — A Russian-made copy of the Koran, etched onto 162 sheets of 99.9% pure gold, worth $5.9 million, will be exhibited in Iran”s capital later this month.
Fourteen pages of the book have already been sent to Tehran for an exhibition of sacred Islamic texts, which will be held from September 22 to October 2, Vladimir Prusakov, the head of the company that ordered the Golden Koran project, told RIA Novosti.
The book is a faithful copy of the Uthman Koran, considered to be the world”s oldest surviving copy of Islam”s holy book. The golden version even replicates the stain of blood from the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, which is still visible on the original.
The Golden Koran was made by the Moscow Mint, over a period of 18 months.
The opening ceremony of the 15th Sacred Koran international exhibition in the Islamic Republic will be inaugurated by the country”s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Russia”s embassy in Tehran said the presentation would provide an “excellent symbol of cooperation between Russia and the entire Islamic world.”
Although Russia is predominantly Orthodox Christian, the country has a significant Muslim minority.
