By RIA Novosti
Moscow : A Russia-made copy of the Quran, etched on 162 sheets of 99.9 percent 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, to be held from Sep 22 to Oct 2, Vladimir Prusakov, the head of the company that ordered the Golden Quran project, told RIA Novosti.
The book is a faithful copy of the Uthman Quran, considered to be the world’s oldest surviving copy of the 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 Moscow Mint prepared the Golden Quran over a period of 18 months.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will inaugurate the opening ceremony of the 15th Sacred Quran international exhibition.
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.