PUTRAJAYA, Feb 20 — Malaysia’s One Million Quran Waqf Solidarity Project, mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2023, is almost reaching the target, with 700,000 copies printed and the remaining 300,000 in production, expected to be ready within three to four months.
Restu Foundation executive chairman Abdul Latiff Mirasa said more than 500,000 copies have already been distributed locally and abroad so far, including to Africa and Asia, as part of a public waqf initiative to expand Islamic outreach and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global Quranic hub.
“This initiative has had a major impact on Malaysia and elevated the Prime Minister as a global ambassador of the Quran.
“Now, almost every month, we send one to two containers of copies of the Quran all over the world,” he told Bernama.
In January 2023, Anwar announced plans to produce one million copies of the Quran for global distribution in response to incidents of Quran burnings in Sweden, saying the move would better promote understanding of the Quran’s message across different backgrounds and faiths.
On translation efforts, Abdul Latiff said Malaysia has emerged as a leading publisher of Qurans in multiple languages. The project currently covers 30 languages, with approval granted to add another 20 to 30 progressively.
“At least 12 new languages are set for completion this year, including Vietnamese, Thai, Lao and Iban, as well as Urdu and Russian,” he said.
To date, the Restu Foundation has translated the Quran into Malay, English, Khmer, Tagalog, European and Latin American Spanish, French, Italian, Swahili, Hausa, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, German, Mandarin, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bosnian and Burmese.
According to Abdul Latiff, about 100 experts are involved in translation and manuscript illumination, working with institutions in Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, and all editions are strictly vetted under the Uthmani script method approved by the Home Ministry.
“Each language edition takes between three and six months to complete. . We are also working with experts from Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to ensure that the translation is authentic and in accordance with the beliefs of Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Latiff said the foundation is preparing the Mushaf Malaysia MADANI, expected to be launched by the Prime Minister this Ramadan.
The manuscript, hand-copied over five years, combines traditional Malay Jawi calligraphy with digital technology via QR codes, allowing readers to access recitations, multilingual translations and tajwid references through smartphones.
“It preserves the beauty of Malay Jawi calligraphy while embracing modern technology,” Abdul Latiff added.
