Tayyar Altıkulaç learned Quran by heart at age nine. He served as religious administrator and Turkish parliament president. His interest in early Qur'anic manuscripts began in late 1960s
ESF SCH workshop on Qur'an textual beginnings held in Berlin, November 2005. Over 20 scholars from Europe, Canada, US, Middle East and Muslim tradition participated. Workshop focused on manuscript sources and Islamic textual tradition
Founded in 756 by Abd al-Rahman I as independent Emirate of Córdoba. Construction began in 784 on former Basilica of San Vicente Mártir. Became second largest mosque in world after Mecca. Converted to Christian cathedral by Ferdinand III in 1238
Sephardic Jews trace their roots to Spanish exiles and Muslim lands. Spain was called "Sepharad" in Biblical times. Jewish life in Spain ended in 1492 with expulsion by Catholic rulers. Many Sephardic Jews fled to Morocco, Portugal, Turkey after expulsion
Developed in 1903 to replace .30-40 Krag in Springfield 1903 rifle. Used 45-grain smokeless powder and 220-grain roundnose bullet. Featured 24-inch barrel and rimless design for better magazine feeding. Initially called .30-45 due to 45-grain powder charge
Pardos were triracial descendants of Europeans, Indigenous Americans and Africans. Term became synonymous with mulatto in colonial Mexico. Unlike negro, pardo had no association with slavery