Glass pendant in the form of a turquoise blue, oval disc with a hole at the top with a brown, cotton thread looped through. On one side is the Basmala written in Arabic script, highlighted in gold, and on the other side is imprinted 'Made in Austria' and a maker's mark.
The person who wore this amulet would have understood it to have protective powers. They would also have worn it as a demonstration of their faith. The verse on it is the Basmala, which reads, "bismillah-alrahman-alrahim" or "In the name of God (Allah), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful". The Basmala occurs before most of the 'sura' or chapters in the Quran. It is also used in daily life, for example the recital of the Basmala is a prerequisite for the preparation of halal food.
