NARATHIWAT, May 10 —  Islamic heritage across the Nusantara shows that geographical boundaries are no barrier to bonds of brotherhood, the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring spirit of wakaf.

This spirit is reflected at the Museum of Islamic Cultural Heritage and Al-Quran Learning Centre here, which preserves ancient Quranic manuscripts contributed through wakaf by scholars and royal families from around the world, including Malaysia.

Museum officer Nik Ilham Nik Yusup said the museum holds 184 collections of the Quran and handwritten manuscripts, ranging in age from 100 to more than 1,000 years.

He said each exhibit is assigned a unique identification number by the Suleymaniyah Library in Istanbul, to facilitate documentation, preservation, and historical reference.

“What makes these collections special is not just their age, but that most were contributed through wakaf by the descendants of scholars and royal families, rather than purchased.

“For visitors from Malaysia, among the most valuable items is a manuscript belonging to Tok Kenali, estimated to be around 160 years old, as well as his personal Quran,” he told Bernama recently.

Nik Ilham said the manuscripts were obtained from a pondok (religious school) in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, and serve as evidence of the dedication of local scholars in preserving and disseminating Quranic knowledge since earlier times.

The museum also houses handwritten work by Sheikh Daud al-Fatani, estimated to be more than 200 years old.

“The uniqueness of this manuscript is evident in the use of gold embellishments on certain writings, while coloured inks were produced from natural flower extracts,” he said.

In addition to Malay Peninsula artefacts, the museum also holds the oldest Quran manuscript in the Malay world written by Sheikh Nuruddin ar-Raniri, dating back around 400 years, as well as a manuscript from Andalusia, Spain, believed to be around 800 years old.

He said there are also unique collections produced using tree bark and animal hide.

“The existence of these valuable collections shows that efforts to elevate Islamic teachings and preserve knowledge are never bound by national borders.

“Although located in southern Thailand, this museum continues to uphold the spirit and scholarly heritage of the Malay world in every exhibition space,” he said.

Nik Ilham added that the spirit of wakaf demonstrated by the descendants of Malay scholars and royalty makes the museum more than just a centre for preserving ancient manuscripts.

According to him, the museum also serves as a symbol of unity in Nusantara Islamic heritage, which continues to be cherished and passed down to future generations. — Bernama