Kuala lumpur: The translation of Al-Mawsu'ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah, one of the most comprehensive encyclopaedias of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), is expected to be fully published by 2028, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. He noted that the ambitious project, which involves translating 45 volumes comprising about 17,000 pages, has made significant progress, with more than 30 volumes completed so far.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the high-impact project, involving around 40 translators, is among Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka's (DBP) largest initiatives to strengthen Islamic knowledge in the Malay language. The initial publication will be in print, with plans to expand to digital and e-book formats to ensure wider access. Dr Zulkifli emphasized the importance of making the encyclopaedia accessible to the public in Malay by using simple language, as it would otherwise remain restricted to Arabic-speaking experts.
He further explained that Islamic educators, or asatizah, would play a crucial role in utilizing the encyclopaedia to deepen understanding of fiqh. This work is considered one of the most comprehensive encyclopaedias published by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. The encyclopaedia was produced by renowned scholars and is recognized as a comprehensive reference on fiqh, covering various schools of thought.
Meanwhile, Dr Zulkifli highlighted the global impact of efforts to disseminate Islamic scholarly materials, with more than 500,000 copies of the Quran distributed worldwide out of nearly one million copies printed to date. The latest distribution efforts have reached several countries, including the United States, particularly Washington, as well as Ivory Coast and Ghana, with a growing demand from abroad.
The initiative is part of the One Million Quran Waqf Solidarity project, inspired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This project aims to distribute printed mushafs of the Quran with translations in multiple languages across the world, capturing the attention of the international community, especially in countries with minority Muslim populations. Dr Zulkifli believes that as the Quran is distributed and read, it allows people to gain a deeper understanding of Islam.