1. THE COVER.
- Author
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Cole, Thomas B.
- Subjects
- *
MAGAZINE covers , *ALIF (The Arabic letter) , *ARABIC writing , *ARABIC alphabet , *PERIODICALS - Abstract
The article describes the cover page of the April 7, 2010 issue of the publication which shows a page from the Qarmathian Qur'an, completed in the 11th and 12th century in Iran or Afghanistan. According to Islamic belief, the Qur'an was disclosed to Muhammad by the angel Jibril over a period of 23 years, starting from 610 CE. The meaning of the four lines of text depicted in the image is given. A discussion of Arabic writing and of alif, considered the most common letter in Arabic, is also provided.
- Published
- 2010