A 700-year-old manuscript of the Quran has been discovered, featuring the word "Uzbek" for the first time.

A manuscript of the Quran has been discovered in the Suleymaniye Library in Turkey, currently undergoing restoration.

This Quran was transcribed on golden leaves in 1318 under the decree of the Khan of the Golden Horde, Uzbek Khan, and is regarded as the main mushaf of the Quran that has survived since the era of the Mongol Empire. Turkish professor Emek Uşenmez notes that the manuscript was brought to Istanbul by the Ottoman Sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmet as a trophy following the campaign in Crimea in 1475.

“This is the first fully transcribed Quran created during the Mongolian era that mentions the name 'Uzbek.' All volumes of the Uzbek Khan Quran are adorned with gold; it was copied in the Golden Horde on golden paper in the muhaqqa style and has largely survived to this day. The calligraphers of that time were highly skilled artisans, and their works were characterized by elegance and precision. The Uzbek Khan Quran features intricate decorative elements, geometric, and floral patterns. These elements enhance the visual appeal of the manuscript and showcase the artistic styles prevalent during that era. It is the complex technology and advanced methods of its time that make this mushaf exceptionally unique today,” said Professor Emek Uşenmez.

Reports indicate that this manuscript holds special significance for Islamic culture and education. Additionally, it has served to preserve religious texts and promote literacy among Muslim communities. Currently, the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the World Society for the Study, Preservation, and Promotion of Uzbekistan's Cultural Heritage, is working on the restoration of this unique manuscript and creating facsimile copies with the aim of returning it to Uzbekistan.