![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/46GQYXYPWZEHVL53RZEWXJPQSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=95e83c0d8cf8e49a28a29cb3d50370960f447009dbe75e807240960b6515c02b&width=400&height=225)
Illumination of a Tetraevangelion in Armenian, A Scribe and his Instruments, Armenia c. 1370-90
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ROT6ZJAHQVECNDVGK5AA2TYPIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d882ac3135ea2f4c71edb01621781b9a77290c5751570b23886d13e28fa0393&width=400&height=225)
Souvigny Bible in Latin, in Abraham's Bosom from France, late 12th century. All Photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NTLOV4ICURBJVCEUV7JSVTTBWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=64e2fead9b873f5d5a976b1135a1c36d1a490cf3cce2e6f0c741351e3d50e8a3&width=400&height=225)
A 16th-century Egyptian Quran open at the page of Surah al An’am
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NSNRCYVBQZECLKGS7D72ACCQ3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdd565b6df16c29346522ce059d59d8af31e64753fefb083889abbff91aa3c96&width=400&height=225)
Torah, on the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Judgment of Solomon, from France 1300
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7RR5VYUIZVHLVJINXJC5QFEDRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fd4d9a280ae5ed03a043450b1432e6905bd5f6c73e2ed49fd3f7ebc64311660&width=400&height=225)
Biblia latina, also known as the Gutenberg Bible Old Testament, Germany c. 1455-56
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CU5OWUJYPJH7VEQPOCAOL3DNOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a944cc4cae912f9c89de9d1cb2048172e0e7a40c001c57a9439f70670b488a1d&width=400&height=225)
The Book of Arda Viraf in Gujarati, North India, 18th century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A6JWOVVVYBBTHBV3ZO27XJYTJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=971919f97d430eca4d9f0633f5f70f85e8583c5604f386ff7b1ea934f786af29&width=400&height=225)
Oskan Erewanci, scientific publisher and printer, Bible Old Testament Psalms in Armenian, France 1673
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAUL4GKTFBHLLNCJQA4SDU6I2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5595d57651b03ad02768bfa83648546f60c85eac4762734c751b25fb710509e3&width=400&height=225)
Folios from a Quran in Hijazi script, from Egypt, from the second half of the 7th century, on parchment
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCHEVKK5HZCNVNIIB7SE4XTLV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=af1b25a5c5b0b3463ff3df0b9181c579f8b06819df43cdf7df688cf27b9c9806&width=400&height=225)
Holy Ark from Austria 1700-09, embossed, chased and gilded silver and coloured glass
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KKCFZVKFYJGETF6P5FZXUJERBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4574674cbb0ec4656d5178d197953554b62523b408eab43193699ca3037b426c&width=400&height=225)
Christian artefacts discovered in the UAE displayed at the Letters of Light exhibition in Louvre Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EEODOUUVZBBG5KKJWEPXSQZRG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=39b9418270237ca286ad44969eff51c73f612b7335e66a02e459b14e34937d6f&width=400&height=225)
Metal candlestick with scenes from the New Testament, Iraq or Syria c. 1248-49
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AUH27DRA6VF7XJ3C3SMQJJDSXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e15af9994cb63538cae4a29ff6e339ffcea008ad71c64e8f09f04cd5aef6119&width=400&height=225)
A gravestone with Hebrew inscription discovered in Ras Al Khaimah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORRHLJYDVRETBDPODSCT637K24.jpg?smart=true&auth=f569721ce41f609ec2b94b6079e5aeb87d4347835da2a1a3a623f80ac037e235&width=400&height=225)
Giovanni Bellini's Virgin and Child, created by the Italian Renaissance painter between 1480 and 1485
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OHU77E5YA5G7TMEGT3OBA54NCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ccefd43bd06478c3048de9d93ea0a618f0850b3e6cf7d17f55655d6b048874&width=400&height=225)
A page from a monumental Quran, c. 1400, Iran or Central Asia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UQYVCXEBZFGX7ISRL6CDIYJDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=968099c6eefa8c76e7834c43eef81790d73b88fd2a1a26679f2d6d9934188a55&width=400&height=225)
Capuchin Bible in Latin, France, late 12th century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSMUYEGZM5DWVGTC2HQZ3BFWRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6659f8aafd2185651a4e625ddc769d838238abb8369209d8ad20ff1f293a90e3&width=400&height=225)
Fragment of Gospel according to St Luke Bible, New Testament in Greek, Egypt, 2nd-3rd century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6NTBJXB2JDSNHPO2NXVJNIFIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=10485ce2ca27156d6af6aeccf3ee1b8d93aa74794234abb5287e570ffcc46b33&width=400&height=225)
Part of arcature with inscription in Hebrew, wood (cypress), Egypt c. 1150
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7WL5HZ57ANCDVLYKTPGOWOHIFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded8ae4283719c7b2993189949be71b4c7ca6fc58185f44859cdc4ec1ed96be6&width=400&height=225)
Marc Chagall, The Torah on his Back, 1933
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UWDXOTPBQJGNFF5343KHQ3RZVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c9edcbbcd81b802b8f90377a369d8b850de7eb253680fbb9ad18d414f5c93574&width=400&height=225)
Folios of the Blue Quran pages displayed at the Letters of Light exhibition
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XOV5MNBAP5HARNSUNBFETOJYPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=91b51eb915d0529f148d773b519b94b518b1da54cd5087c37a41ec5e3e2b9f50&width=400&height=225)
The Message of the Prophet Mohammed to the Kings of Himyar in Ancient South Arabian script, South Arabia, c. 633
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3IUPTK6Z5BCE5D37NA74QSWQDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=11d399a609d1308a168e4136fcf7332f8b6dbb8a0a5c987da40141dfc918f29f&width=400&height=225)
Rembrandt, Hagar sent away by Abraham, 1637
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QSNW6R6USRHITJTTMDJRSLWHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa779669d24125e42df740bb5bc0720fb5230b8fb519381a5830766aef8fbfe4&width=400&height=225)
Torah scroll in Hebrew, Syria 16th century, on hide
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/46GQYXYPWZEHVL53RZEWXJPQSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=95e83c0d8cf8e49a28a29cb3d50370960f447009dbe75e807240960b6515c02b&width=400&height=225)
Illumination of a Tetraevangelion in Armenian, A Scribe and his Instruments, Armenia c. 1370-90
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ROT6ZJAHQVECNDVGK5AA2TYPIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d882ac3135ea2f4c71edb01621781b9a77290c5751570b23886d13e28fa0393&width=400&height=225)
Souvigny Bible in Latin, in Abraham's Bosom from France, late 12th century. All Photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NTLOV4ICURBJVCEUV7JSVTTBWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=64e2fead9b873f5d5a976b1135a1c36d1a490cf3cce2e6f0c741351e3d50e8a3&width=400&height=225)
A 16th-century Egyptian Quran open at the page of Surah al An’am
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NSNRCYVBQZECLKGS7D72ACCQ3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cdd565b6df16c29346522ce059d59d8af31e64753fefb083889abbff91aa3c96&width=400&height=225)
Torah, on the Sacrifice of Isaac and the Judgment of Solomon, from France 1300
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7RR5VYUIZVHLVJINXJC5QFEDRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8fd4d9a280ae5ed03a043450b1432e6905bd5f6c73e2ed49fd3f7ebc64311660&width=400&height=225)
Biblia latina, also known as the Gutenberg Bible Old Testament, Germany c. 1455-56
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CU5OWUJYPJH7VEQPOCAOL3DNOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a944cc4cae912f9c89de9d1cb2048172e0e7a40c001c57a9439f70670b488a1d&width=400&height=225)
The Book of Arda Viraf in Gujarati, North India, 18th century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/A6JWOVVVYBBTHBV3ZO27XJYTJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=971919f97d430eca4d9f0633f5f70f85e8583c5604f386ff7b1ea934f786af29&width=400&height=225)
Oskan Erewanci, scientific publisher and printer, Bible Old Testament Psalms in Armenian, France 1673
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAUL4GKTFBHLLNCJQA4SDU6I2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5595d57651b03ad02768bfa83648546f60c85eac4762734c751b25fb710509e3&width=400&height=225)
Folios from a Quran in Hijazi script, from Egypt, from the second half of the 7th century, on parchment
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YCHEVKK5HZCNVNIIB7SE4XTLV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=af1b25a5c5b0b3463ff3df0b9181c579f8b06819df43cdf7df688cf27b9c9806&width=400&height=225)
Holy Ark from Austria 1700-09, embossed, chased and gilded silver and coloured glass
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KKCFZVKFYJGETF6P5FZXUJERBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4574674cbb0ec4656d5178d197953554b62523b408eab43193699ca3037b426c&width=400&height=225)
Christian artefacts discovered in the UAE displayed at the Letters of Light exhibition in Louvre Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EEODOUUVZBBG5KKJWEPXSQZRG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=39b9418270237ca286ad44969eff51c73f612b7335e66a02e459b14e34937d6f&width=400&height=225)
Metal candlestick with scenes from the New Testament, Iraq or Syria c. 1248-49
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AUH27DRA6VF7XJ3C3SMQJJDSXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e15af9994cb63538cae4a29ff6e339ffcea008ad71c64e8f09f04cd5aef6119&width=400&height=225)
A gravestone with Hebrew inscription discovered in Ras Al Khaimah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORRHLJYDVRETBDPODSCT637K24.jpg?smart=true&auth=f569721ce41f609ec2b94b6079e5aeb87d4347835da2a1a3a623f80ac037e235&width=400&height=225)
Giovanni Bellini's Virgin and Child, created by the Italian Renaissance painter between 1480 and 1485
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OHU77E5YA5G7TMEGT3OBA54NCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=53ccefd43bd06478c3048de9d93ea0a618f0850b3e6cf7d17f55655d6b048874&width=400&height=225)
A page from a monumental Quran, c. 1400, Iran or Central Asia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UQYVCXEBZFGX7ISRL6CDIYJDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=968099c6eefa8c76e7834c43eef81790d73b88fd2a1a26679f2d6d9934188a55&width=400&height=225)
Capuchin Bible in Latin, France, late 12th century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BSMUYEGZM5DWVGTC2HQZ3BFWRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6659f8aafd2185651a4e625ddc769d838238abb8369209d8ad20ff1f293a90e3&width=400&height=225)
Fragment of Gospel according to St Luke Bible, New Testament in Greek, Egypt, 2nd-3rd century
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D6NTBJXB2JDSNHPO2NXVJNIFIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=10485ce2ca27156d6af6aeccf3ee1b8d93aa74794234abb5287e570ffcc46b33&width=400&height=225)
Part of arcature with inscription in Hebrew, wood (cypress), Egypt c. 1150
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7WL5HZ57ANCDVLYKTPGOWOHIFY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded8ae4283719c7b2993189949be71b4c7ca6fc58185f44859cdc4ec1ed96be6&width=400&height=225)
Marc Chagall, The Torah on his Back, 1933
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UWDXOTPBQJGNFF5343KHQ3RZVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=c9edcbbcd81b802b8f90377a369d8b850de7eb253680fbb9ad18d414f5c93574&width=400&height=225)
Folios of the Blue Quran pages displayed at the Letters of Light exhibition
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XOV5MNBAP5HARNSUNBFETOJYPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=91b51eb915d0529f148d773b519b94b518b1da54cd5087c37a41ec5e3e2b9f50&width=400&height=225)
The Message of the Prophet Mohammed to the Kings of Himyar in Ancient South Arabian script, South Arabia, c. 633
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3IUPTK6Z5BCE5D37NA74QSWQDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=11d399a609d1308a168e4136fcf7332f8b6dbb8a0a5c987da40141dfc918f29f&width=400&height=225)
Rembrandt, Hagar sent away by Abraham, 1637
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QSNW6R6USRHITJTTMDJRSLWHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa779669d24125e42df740bb5bc0720fb5230b8fb519381a5830766aef8fbfe4&width=400&height=225)
Torah scroll in Hebrew, Syria 16th century, on hide
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/46GQYXYPWZEHVL53RZEWXJPQSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=95e83c0d8cf8e49a28a29cb3d50370960f447009dbe75e807240960b6515c02b&width=400&height=225)
Illumination of a Tetraevangelion in Armenian, A Scribe and his Instruments, Armenia c. 1370-90
Letters of Light: Louvre Abu Dhabi exhibition illuminates the history of holy books
Running until January 14, new show displays some of the oldest sacred texts of the three Abrahamic faiths
![Razmig Bedirian](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F275b4b76-cb6d-410e-a5df-c23d65484c26.png?smart=true&auth=fc94b07464368c9c664f3bd102f95ffe4c76b1b38fe7d6fee2362e26add51d0e&width=70&height=70)
Razmig Bedirian
12 September, 2023
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