A Major Contribution to Cultural Heritage by TÜBA Member Prof. İhsanoğlu
Published by TÜBA and authored by Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu and rare book specialist Hüseyin Türkmen, the book "Osmanlı Kültür Mirası Matbu Mushaf-ı Şerifler" has been released to the public as the culmination of a long-term research project spanning over twenty years. The study was prepared following extensive surveys conducted in libraries, archives, bookstores, and private collections, with both domestic and international sources meticulously examined.
“Osmanlı Kültür Mirası Matbu Mushaf-ı Şerifler” provides a solid foundation of data for historians, calligraphers, librarians, antiquarian booksellers, and researchers of Islamic arts, while also standing out as an important reference work for readers seeking to understand the cultural background of Mushaf printing. The book approaches the history of the printed Qur’an not merely as a technical publishing issue, but as an intersection of religious sensitivities, artistic sensibilities, state policies, and technological advancements. In this regard, the book offers a multi-layered perspective that highlights the delicate balance between reverence for the sacred and modernization. For the first time, reservations, debates, and historical decisions regarding the printing of the Mushaf in the Ottoman world are presented in such a comprehensive, document-supported, and holistic manner.
The Process Spanning from the Ottoman Era to the Republic Is Examined in Detail
The book examines, in detail, the religious and administrative approaches to Mushaf printing in the Ottoman Empire—beginning with Qur'an printing initiatives in Europe—as well as unauthorized printings, the first official printings, and developments extending into the Republican era.
Additionally, a comprehensive bibliography is compiled by identifying 1,747 copies of the Mushaf-ı Şerif and its sections printed in Türkiye between 1872 and 2024. In this regard, the work offers not only a historical narrative but also a robust data source.
A First in Its Field: Comprehensive Inventory and Bibliometric Analysis
The study serves as a pioneering work in its field by presenting the first and most comprehensive inventory of Mushafs printed in Türkiye to date. The bibliography, compiled using data from libraries, museums, archives, book dealers, and private collections, is analyzed and evaluated using bibliometric methods. The work also includes comprehensive studies on calligraphers, publishing houses, and printing presses in the context of the Mushaf-ı Şerif.
Other notable features of the work include the examination of Qur'an printing not only from a technical perspective but also in terms of its religious, cultural, and political dimensions; as well as the presentation of previously unidentified editions and new information regarding the calligraphers who wrote the Qur'an. Enhanced with numerous illustrations and documents, the study serves as a unique reference source for researchers thanks to detailed tables organized by year, publishing house, and calligrapher.