Quetta, Pakistan – In a devastating blow to Pakistan’s spiritual and historical heritage, unknown thieves have stolen over 150 ancient Quranic manuscripts and pages from Jabal-e-Noor, or the “Mountain of Light,” located at the Koh-i-Chiltan mountain in southern Quetta.
The site, renowned as Jabal-e-Noorul Quran, was established in 1992 by two visionary brothers to preserve centuries-old Quranic manuscripts and safeguard sacred texts. The stolen pieces were housed in protective glass cases inside a tunnel dedicated to preserving these invaluable artifacts.
“In this heartbreaking incident, at least 150 manuscripts and Quranic pages were taken after the glass cases were shattered,” said Ajmal Khan, the site’s in-charge.
The local police confirmed that a case has been registered against unknown individuals following a complaint by the tunnel’s administration. However, no arrests have been made thus far.
The Holy Tunnel was constructed by Abdul Rashid, a Quetta resident, to protect the spiritual heritage of Islamic history. Since its creation, the site has served as a repository for old Qurans that are no longer in use.
Haji Muzaffar Ali, administrator of Jabal-e-Noor, revealed that over five million sacks of old Qurans have been buried at the site. He expressed concern about the lack of space and the growing difficulty in storing the holy texts properly. “Hundreds of sacks filled with Qurans are now exposed on the hillside due to space constraints,” he told AFP.
The site takes its name from the mountain in Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have received the first verses of the Quran, making it a place of immense spiritual significance.
Authorities and the local community are urging swift action to recover the stolen manuscripts and ensure the protection of this irreplaceable heritage.
