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oic research centre for islamic history, art and culture - ircica

oic research centre for islamic history, art and culture - ircica

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The Prime Minister of Turkey H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan receiveda facsimile edition of the copy of the Holy Quranattributed to the time of Caliph Othman, published by IRCICAH. E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Turkey,inaugurated the newly renovated “Holy Relics” Section ofTopkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul, on 29 December 2007.The opening was also attended by the Minister of Culture<strong>and</strong> Tourism Mr. Ertuğrul Günay, the Minister of PublicWorks <strong>and</strong> Settlement Mr. Faruk Nafiz Özak, the Minister ofEnvironment <strong>and</strong> Forestry Mr. Veysel Eroğlu, the Governorof Istanbul Mr. Muammer Güler <strong>and</strong> the MetropolitanMayor of Greater Istanbul Mr. Kadir Topbaş. Prime MinisterErdoğan delivered a comprehensive address, in which heunderlined that all heavenly religions <strong>and</strong> beliefs upholdrighteousness, justice <strong>and</strong> compassion. He said that thecollections of the Holy Relics section represent a spiritualtreasure which gives Istanbul <strong>and</strong> Turkey the greatest prideto be the keeper; this treasure inherited from the threemajor heavenly religions is of inestimable value. The PrimeMinister said that the sacred relics of Prophet Mohammed<strong>and</strong> many other prophets kept in this section will enlightenthe he<strong>art</strong>s of believers not only at present but also <strong>for</strong> thefuture generations; the gifts our ancestors sent to the holyplaces during centuries reflect the importance they gave to<strong>culture</strong>, to <strong>art</strong>s <strong>and</strong> <strong>art</strong>isans. “The door of the Kaba is here.The locks of the Kaba are here. It would be a big mistaketo consider <strong>and</strong> to picture this <strong>history</strong> as bygone <strong>history</strong>.This place is not only a museum but the abode of a livingcivilization. … As a reward <strong>for</strong> loyalty to this legacy, <strong>for</strong>centuries Istanbul was the capital of our civilization. In thiscapital not only Muslims but the adherents of all beliefs livedin safety <strong>and</strong> security. … This place houses symbols of thesearch <strong>for</strong> eternal truth, <strong>history</strong> of mankind, <strong>and</strong> the sacredcause that gives humankind it humanness. Following theaddress of Prime Minister Erdoğan, Dr. Halit Eren, DirectorGeneral of IRCICA presented the Prime Minister with oneof the latest publications of IRCICA, consisting of a facsimileedition of the copy of the Quran which is attributed to thetime of Caliph Othman, the third caliph. The original copyis kept in the Topkapı Palace Museum. The edition <strong>and</strong> theaccompanying scholarly study by Dr. Tayyar Altıkulaç werepublished by IRCICA in 2007. Mr. Ertuğrul Günay, Ministerof Culture <strong>and</strong> Tourism of Turkey, Mr. Orhan Düzgün,Director of Museums, <strong>and</strong> Prof. İlber Ortaylı, Director ofTopkapı Palace Museum, also gave addresses.The relics include personal <strong>art</strong>icles <strong>and</strong> garments whichbelonged to Prophet Mohammed <strong>and</strong> other prophets <strong>and</strong>to the companions of Prophet Mohammed. The sectionalso houses keys <strong>and</strong> locks of the Kaba, rare manuscripts,<strong>and</strong> containers <strong>and</strong> wrappers in which the objects werecarried from Mecca <strong>and</strong> Medina to Istanbul. These objectsof great religious significance are also excellent works of <strong>art</strong>.Following the conquest of Egypt by Sultan Selim I in 1517,the Caliphate passed on to the Ottomans; so were the keysof Mecca <strong>and</strong> the relics relating to the Kaba. Some of therelics were transported to Istanbul, the seat of the Caliphate,<strong>and</strong> some others were placed in the tomb of ProphetMohammed. Precious gifts, new curtains <strong>and</strong> keys <strong>for</strong> theKaba were sent every year from Istanbul <strong>and</strong> from otherregions of the Muslim world. Thus the number <strong>and</strong> varietyof the holy relics relating to the Kaba increased continuouslyover the centuries. Those relics to be brought to Istanbulwere meticulously registered <strong>and</strong> delivered to the officialsin charge of transferring them. They were preserved withutmost care <strong>and</strong> respect <strong>for</strong> centuries. The holy relics wereopened <strong>for</strong> public view in 1962.2 Newsletter SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2007, NO: 74

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