Arabic papyri deserve special attention for the following reasons: a: they throw some light on Umayyad chancery practice undistorted by the prejudices of the historians b: they are official documents sent almost entirely by Qurra b. Shairk who was the governor of Egypt from 90-709 – 96/714 c: they are almost certainly authentic d: they are very important with respect to epistolary format and style for the coincide completely with the theoretical modes These letters give a realable impression of chancery practice.