An Egyptian artist, who educated himself after dropping out of school, has spent three years creating what he hopes is the world's biggest Quran.
Saad Mohammed turns the page of a book he’s handwritten at his studio, in the town of Belqina, north of Cairo, Egypt April 26, 2017 (All photos by Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters)
Saad Mohammed, who has hand-painted Islamic motifs on the walls and ceilings of his home in the town of Belqina, north of Cairo, has reproduced the Muslim holy book on a paper scroll 700 meters long.
He displays the intricately decorated manuscript in a large wooden box with rollers at each end.
"This Quran is 700 meters long, and of course that's a large amount of paper," he told Reuters Television. "I self-funded this project for the past three years – and I'm an average person. I don't have assets or anything."
Mohammed wants to submit his Quran for inclusion in Guinness World Records. Guinness says that while there is a record for the world's biggest printed Quran, there is so far no record holder for the largest handwritten version.
Saad Mohammed paints a pottery vase at his studio in the town of Belqina, north of Cairo, Egypt
Mohammed says he is hoping for help with the costs of applying to Guinness from the government or any other interested party.
Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Angus MacSwan; Photos by Mohamed Abd El Ghany;Reuters
