In an extraordinary feat of devotion and artistry, an Iraqi calligrapher has completed the world’s largest handwritten Quran after six years of meticulous effort in Istanbul.

Ali Zaman, originally a goldsmith from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, spent six years crafting the monumental manuscript, with each page measuring four meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Born in 1971, Zaman’s passion for Islamic calligraphy began in childhood, eventually leading him to leave his jewelry trade in 2013 to dedicate himself entirely to the sacred art.

In 2017, he and his family relocated to Istanbul’s Fatih district, where he continued his work on the manuscript. Written entirely by hand using traditional reed pens in the thuluth script, the Quran spans three meters when opened. Zaman deliberately avoided digital tools, shaping every letter with patience and precision.

He carried out the project alone in a modest room at the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex, working daily and pausing only for meals and prayers. The massive undertaking was completely self-funded, and despite suffering serious health issues that forced him to pause in 2023, he ultimately brought his vision to completion.

Throughout his career, Zaman has earned numerous international honors in thuluth and naskh calligraphy from competitions in Syria, Malaysia, Iraq, and Turkey.

Reflecting on his achievement, Zaman said, “It brings me immense joy to create something that few people can achieve or even attempt. Every letter carries the spirit and dedication poured into this work.”