Manuskrip al-Qur'an Masjid Padang Air yields gold-trimmed 250-year-old note
A handwritten marginalia hidden inside a 1730-1869 Terengganu Qur'an manuscript at Masjid Padang Air, Kuala Nerus, offers fresh clues to a possible Riau–Lingga provenance.
Source: Akademi Jawi Malaysia · July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 30 JULY 2026 —
KUALA LUMPUR (July 29, 2026) — A rare 1730-1869 Quran manuscript housed at Masjid Padang Air in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, has revealed a hidden gold-trimmed marginal note, offering new insights into its possible Riau–Lingga provenance.
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The discovery was made during a research visit on June 16, 2026, by a team from the Terengganu State Museum. The manuscript, long preserved at the mosque, features a watermark paper estimated to be over 100 years old, with traces of gold leaf suggesting high craftsmanship. However, its binding is deteriorating, with acid-damaged pages and missing sections, including the opening surah Al-Fatihah.
A handwritten note found in the margins closely resembles those in the Terengganu State Museum’s collection (LMNT.21.14.UI 2). Experts, including Datuk Dr. Annabel Teh Gallop, Head Curator at the British Library, noted stylistic similarities to Quran manuscripts from the Riau-Lingga Sultanate, particularly in decorative motifs and structural design.
The watermark "Propatria" and "C&I HONIG" on the paper suggests the manuscript dates between 1730 and 1869. Its gold-trimmed pages and intricate Malay calligraphy indicate it may have been a high-status item. Researchers have urged immediate digitization to preserve its contents, warning that further degradation could erase valuable historical evidence.
The manuscript’s preservation remains critical for regional cultural heritage. Experts emphasize the need for collaborative conservation efforts between the mosque and Terengganu State Museum to safeguard this artifact for future research.