The word ‘Juzdan’ originates from the Persian language and is a textile covering or book pocket for the ‘Quran’ the Holy Book of Muslims. In Muslim households, Juzdan is a stitched textile to ensure the cleanliness of the Holy Quran and protect it from dust.

In traditional South Asian contexts, holding a Quran over a bride’s head is a wedding custom, the bride then takes this with her at Rukhsati. This cultural practice signifies that the bride and groom will be guarded against the evil eye (Nazar).

This Juzdan was given to my mother at her wedding 30 years ago. It holds immense significance for my mother, and me beyond its material properties and purpose. The captivating romance of connecting ourselves with tangible objects transcends into intangible recollections. Belongings become more of a memory rather than just an object, we start reliving moments through things.

This textile piece takes me back to each and every bookshelf I owned in my life; it is a memoir. I wonder how much it means to me and will it matter to someone yet to come?
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Nabiha Khan - Lahore, Pakistan