The Kingdom and the Qur’an Translating the Holy Book of Islam in Saudi Arabia

This book presents a detailed analysis of the translation of the Qur’an in Saudi Arabia, the most important global actor in the promotion, production and dissemination of Qur’an translations. From the first attempts at translation in the mid-twentieth century to more recent state-driven efforts concerned with international impact, The Kingdom and the Qur’an adeptly elucidates the link between contemporary Islamic theology and the advent of modern print culture. It investigates this critical juncture in both Middle Eastern political history and the intellectual evolution of the Muslim world, interweaving literary, socio-historical, and socio-anthropological threads to depict the intricate backdrop of the Saudi ‘Qur’an translation movement’. Mykhaylo Yakubovych provides a comprehensive historical overview of the debates surrounding the translatability of the Qur’an, as well as exploring the impact of the burgeoning translation and dissemination of the holy book upon Wahhabi and Salafi interpretations of Islam. Backed by meticulous research and drawing on a wealth of sources, this work illuminates an essential facet of global Islamic culture and scholarly discourse. Reviews Yakubovych, a Ukrainian Islamic studies scholar, has written a fascinating and masterful survey of the extraordinary achievements of Saudi Arabia’s Qur’an publishers. Most notably, the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, established by royal decree in 1982, has printed hundreds of millions of Qur’ans and commentaries in book and audio format, a majority in Arabic but also translations in multiple language. Mark Durie Middle East Forum, vol. 31, no. 4, 2024.