 Construction of the complex began in 1984 and the museum was officially opened in March 1990 by Abdul Latif Jassim Kanoo . It was built to " accommodate a comprehensive and valuable collection of the Qur 'an and other rare manuscripts " , a concept which , according to a regional magazine , is unique in the Persian Gulf region . The core of the museum 's holdings is Kanoo 's own collection of Qur 'anic manuscripts and Islamic art , since he was reportedly said to have been an avid collector . As his collection grew , he reportedly came to feel a strong sense of responsibility toward the rare manuscripts he had acquired . In 1990 , he donated his collection to the museum he established to operate a first @-@ of @-@ its @-@ kind institution dedicated to the service of the Qur 'an and the preservation of historic manuscripts . 
