The Moscow International Quran Recitation Competition has become an example of the reverent attitude and respect of Russian Muslims towards the holy book. In 2023, the XXI event took place, which was timed to coincide with the release of the book “100 Wonderful Facts about the Quran in Russia”, prepared by the publishing house of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Russia Muftis Council “Chitai”. The editor-in-chief of the publication was the Russian religious figure and candidate of philosophical sciences, Mufti Rushan Abbyasov. The author of the idea is historian and ethnographer, imam Renat Abyanov.
On the pages of the book, in one hundred facts, are revealed the centuries-old history of the existence, study, and publication of the Holy Qur'an in Russia, its decisive significance for the Muslim peoples of the country and the main milestones of domestic Qur'anic studies. Thanks to its small circulation - only 500 copies - and high quality, the almanac can be considered a unique example of Muslim printing, capable of becoming an adornment to any library. At the same time, this scientific and educational publication is designed for a wide range of readers, including foreign ones. Each text is printed in Russian and English and is accompanied by illustrations.
The first impression of the book can be expressed by the desire to quickly become familiar with its contents. The title, embossed in gold, emphasizes the laconic but thoughtful design of the cover and the attention of the authors to the artistic design of the publication. The opening words from the Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Russia Muftis Council Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin and the editor-in-chief Rushan Abbyasov relate to the Moscow international competition, but set a solemn tone before immersing the reader in the history of the relationship between the Quran and Russian society and state. The facts presented in chronological order form a fascinating narrative. At a certain point, numbering ceases to play a key role in the perception of the material, so the final fact appears to the reader somewhat unexpectedly.
The information collected in the publication can fully introduce the special context of the existence of the Quran in Russia. The influence of Arabic calligraphy on the art of the peoples of the country, the first acquaintance of Russian people with the world of the Muslim East, inspiration by the Quranic suras of great poets, local genres of recitations - an extensive list of events and phenomena allows the reader to touch real cultural phenomena. If we imagine the contents of the book as a majestic pattern consisting of many lines, colors and shadows, then the combination of certain facts form individual elements of the ornament that deserve close study.
For example, six facts are devoted to the activities of the Russian orientalist Ignatius Krachkovsky, who translated the Quran into Russian. The described episodes of history concern both the fundamental work of Krachkovsky and the recognition of his work at the highest official level and the achievements of the students of Ignatius Yulianovich. Of course, there are many similar examples in the publication. The tradition of studying the Holy Quran has three hundred years of academic experience in Russia. Facts smoothly flow from one topic to another, revealing important stages of the Quranic presence in the state from different sides and giving the book’s narrative additional dimensions.
The main disadvantage turns out to be a derivative of the undoubted advantage of the publication. Painstakingly selected facts clearly highlight seemingly insignificant details, which in a new light take on inspiring meanings. This, for example, seems to be fact No. 29 “Fateful meeting”, which tells about the incident that prompted the domestic researcher Gordiy Sablukov to study Islam. Or fact No. 68 “Anti-Worlds”, which talks about anti-religious books of the Soviet era, which paradoxically became a source of knowledge about the Muslim faith. Original and witty titles, preceded by a short but expressive information text containing names and dates, as well as colorful illustrations - the method of artistic presentation of facts awakens the desire to learn even more details, presented in such a visual and accessible way.
Perhaps the very concept of “fact” didn’t allow expanding the scope of information. It is important to note that the contents of the book are harmoniously complemented by a list of recommended literature and an excursion into the history of the Moscow International Quran Recitation Competition. The last element is more colorful: on emerald-colored spreads, appearing alternately every few pages with facts, there are notes about the features of the annual event. The chronology of the Moscow Quran recitation competition turns the almanac into a real “chronicle”, not least thanks to the picturesque photographs from past events.
Bright and rich in variety illustrations of facts are represented by rare restored photographs and portraits, covers and pages of ancient books, as well as drawings. One of the facts is connected with the image of a royal helmet decorated with Quranic suras. The illustration is replete with the smallest details, allowing the reader to delight the eye with a sophisticated example of the material culture of the past. A special feature of the layout is the stylization of image contours with broad brush strokes. The pages of the book are literally a canvas written by the very history of the Holy Quran in Russia. However, some photographs don’t have captions. While their point is made clear by the fact, a short note below the image could have served to be more informative and engaging in this particular type of storytelling.
It is worth noting the work of the artist L.I. Nuriev. The conscious primitivism of his artistic images is sincerely charming and sets one in a positive mood. Despite the deliberate simplification, the plot with a Muslim scientist at work, which precedes the introduction of the book, skillfully conveys the concentration of the image depicted.
In the process of researching a topic, many facts emerge that become unique steps on the way to a general understanding of the subject. For this reason, it is not always possible to imagine the historical significance of a single, even widely known fact, or to evaluate its impact on culture in its entirety. “100 Wonderful Facts about the Quran in Russia” allows the reader to compose from intertwined patterns an impressive picture of Russian Islam, stretched across several time periods. Despite the significant advantages of the publication - high quality design and fascinating content, the main drawback of the book is its volume. The path of Islam in the Russian Federation continues, so perhaps in the future there will be a need to publish a book containing even more wonderful facts about the Noble Quran.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russia Muftis Council