A strategic partnership between the Holy Quran Academy and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage to preserve and maintain manuscripts
Sharjah, January 15, 2026
The Holy Quran Academy in Sharjah and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to consolidate institutional cooperation between the two parties. The agreement aims to develop advanced technological solutions for restoring and preserving manuscripts and historical artifacts, in addition to unifying documentation and archiving policies, building capacities through the training of national cadres, and facilitating the exchange of expertise. The memorandum was signed on behalf of the Holy Quran Academy by His Excellency Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al-Tunaiji, President of the Academy, and on behalf of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage by His Excellency Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Musallam, President of the Institute, in the presence of Abdullah Khalaf Al-Hosani, Secretary-General of the Holy Quran Academy, along with several department directors from both sides.
Enhancing Technical and Documentation Integration
Dr. Eng. Khalifa Al-Tunaiji emphasized that the partnership aligns with the Academy’s approach to employing modern technologies and artificial intelligence in serving the Holy Quran and its museums, particularly in the restoration and archiving of manuscripts as living witnesses to the history of Quranic writing and the development of its sciences throughout the ages. This ensures their protection and accessibility to researchers without compromising their rare originals.
Al-Tunaiji added that this strategic partnership with the UNESCO-registered Sharjah Institute for Heritage contributes to the archiving of rare manuscripts and artifacts, ensuring their protection from deterioration and loss, while facilitating access for researchers and interested parties without affecting the integrity of the originals. It will also help promote the Academy at national and international forums in which the Institute participates.
A Qualitative Leap in Preserving Heritage and Making It Globally Accessible
For his part, Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Musallam stated that this partnership represents a strategic step to strengthen the system for preserving documentary heritage. He affirmed that the Institute is placing its expertise at the service of protecting Quranic manuscripts according to the highest scientific standards and building a sustainable model for digital archiving that balances preservation and accessibility. This approach enhances the visibility of this human heritage in international forums, ensuring its safe and reliable transmission to future generations.
An Advanced Vision for Utilizing Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Al-Musallam added that the Sharjah Institute for Heritage adopts an advanced vision in employing artificial intelligence techniques to document and preserve heritage elements, contributing to safeguarding cultural memory according to the highest scientific standards. He also highlighted the Institute’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation through its International Organizations Center for Cultural Heritage, which serves as an effective platform for exchanging expertise and knowledge among cultural institutions at regional and global levels, supporting joint efforts to protect and sustain human heritage.
It is worth noting that the Sharjah Institute for Heritage is a scientific cultural institution and a Category II international center under UNESCO’s auspices for capacity building in the field of cultural heritage. The Institute is considered one of the leading institutions in its field, given the significant achievements it has accomplished in the study and documentation of cultural heritage