First Saudi-Printed Quran Documents the Kingdom’s Care for Holy Quran

   Mina, May 27, 2026, SPA -- Since the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud gave great attention to the Holy Quran, making it the foundation of education and a way of life. He also supported Quran memorization circles and honored memorizers of the Holy Quran, reflecting the Saudi state’s longstanding approach to serving Islam and caring for the Holy Quran.
   As part of this blessed attention, the idea of printing the first Saudi-produced Quran in Makkah emerged after a handwritten copy of the Holy Quran by Sheikh Mohammed Taher Al-Kurdi, regarded as one of the most prominent Quran calligraphers of the modern era, was presented.
   According to documentation by King Abdulaziz Foundation, a specialized government committee was formed to review the Quran. The committee included several leading scholars of Quranic recitations in Makkah.
   Detailed reviews were conducted under the supervision of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research, Ifta, Call and Guidance at the time to ensure accuracy and compliance with established principles of Quranic script and orthography.
   After completion of the manuscript, the Quran was presented to King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who was then Deputy to the King in Hijaz. He showed strong interest in the project and directed that printing begin.
   The first edition was issued in 1369 AH, corresponding to 1950. It was presented to King Abdulaziz, while additional copies were gifted to his sons and several scholars.
   The Quran’s cover bore the following inscription: “Makkah Quran, written by Mohammed Taher Al-Kurdi, calligraphy instructor at the General Directorate of Education in Makkah, printed at the expense of Makkah Quran Company during the reign of King Abdulaziz.”
   This Quran represented a significant historical milestone as the first Saudi printing of the Holy Quran. It was distributed to pilgrims for many years and became a witness to the Kingdom’s early efforts in serving, printing, and disseminating the Holy Quran before the establishment of the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, which later continued this mission on a global scale.
   Today, the “King Abdulaziz Quran” remains an important national and historical landmark reflecting the Kingdom’s care for the Holy Quran and a lasting model in the history of serving the Holy Quran.
   It also demonstrates the continuation of this care from the past to the present and into the future as the Kingdom continues its mission of serving Islam and Muslims.
   -- SPA