Sunday, November 03, 2024

Launch of The Ascendant Qur’an Translation In South Africa

Mohamed Ousman

The Institute of Contemporary Islamic Thought (ICIT) in conjunction with the National Writers Association of South Africa hosted a series of events to launch the English only version of The Ascendant Qur’an by award winning mufassir, Imam Muhammad Al Asi. He was ably supported by Imam Zafar Bangash, Director of the ICIT.

The launches were hosted under the sponsorship of the Rasooli Islamic Centre, the Polokwane Muslim Community in conjunction with the Muslim Students Association of the University of Limpopo, The Muslim Views, the Muslim Students Association of the University of the Western Cape as well as Madrassah Al Khayr, Benoni where the English only version of The Ascendant Qur’an was launched.

These events were supplemented by Jumu’ah lectures at Masjid Abu Bakr Siddique and the Rasooli Centre in Tshwane as well as Masjid Al Quds and the Muhammadiyyah Masjid in Cape Town.

With the marked absence of the pro-Saudi mainstream status quo sectarian Muslim clergy class, the programs were well attended by a cross-section of communities (Muslim and non-Muslim across the gender, age, intellectual, racial constructs).

As was the case with the English-Arabic translation of the meanings of the Qur’an, titled The Ascendant Qur’an, the English only version of The Ascendant Qur’an was well received and sold-out. The reprint is currently underway.

Notwithstanding their absence, the ICIT gladly invites Ulama’, students, professors, lecturers from academic institutions and professional experts from the various disciplines to be part of this project by presenting their expertise under the specific discourses of the Qur’an that belongs to humanity, in accordance with the Islamic tradition of scholarly engagement. Indeed, it is only through extended constructive involvement that the best output can be brought forth to benefit humanity.

The launch events were well organized and the content was characterized by explanation of the need for another translation in this contemporary age, talking audiences through the linguistic standards that have dropped over the centuries, the objective of this launch. Various challenges were also discussed illuminated by specific examples. The ways of overcoming these challenges were also delivered.

As an expert on the Qur’an, Imam Muhammad Al Asi and the ICIT’s continued passion of sharing his knowledge came through. The launch focused on the transfer of knowledge directly from a person who mastered the language to readers of the Qur’an and to groom readers of the Qur’an to carry their responsibilities by living the divine message. The events were very interactive and useful.

A key feature of all the programs during the tour was the emphasis for Muslims to return to the Qur’an as their primary and only source of guidance as they attempt to overturn centuries of capitulation, redeem their character as the leaders for social and institutional justice as well as save themselves and the oppressed peoples of the world. Intimately linked to this feature was the emphasis on the ongoing Israeli genocide in Ghazzah which permeated all events.

The launch of the English only version of The Ascendant Qur’an followed the previous publication of 14 volumes of the first ever tafsir of the Qur’an written directly in English, titled The Ascendant Qur’an: Realigning Man to the Divine Power Culture as well as the English-Arabic translation of the meanings of the Qur’an, titled The Ascendant Qur’an.

The Ascendant Qur’an project was launched in 1996 following the highly successful international conference in South Africa under the theme, Creating a New Civilization of Islam. Leading Muslim thinkers, activists and Ulama’ identified the urgent need to present the meanings of the Qur’an in its pristine form to English speaking peoples of the world. It was the late Dr Kalim Siddiqui, founder and director of the Muslim Institute and Leader of the Muslim Parliament in Britain who proposed the tafsir idea to Imam Al-Asi.

The project has the potential to reshape societies that are falling apart morally. As the family unit disintegrates and community structures are rapidly disappearing, Ministries of social development would do well to support and engage this literary work as a basis for policy formation, workshops and debate.

Despite the obvious benefits that will accrue to such Ministries, the primary responsibility for actualizing the Qur’anic directives falls, first and foremost, on the committed Muslims. For if Muslims commit to take seriously the message of the Qur’an and labor for its implementation, only then can it serve as a beacon of humanity and those who are not privileged with the Qur’anic message.

The Ascendant Qur’an presents Muslims and humanity at large with the intellectual tools to not only make a paradigm shift away from the zionist-imperialist imposed world order but to, simultaneously, avoid the pitfalls associated with building society whilst recoiling into sectarianism, nationalism, tribalism and other isms that only advance the zionist-imperialist agenda of divide and decimate.

Who is Imam Al-Asi?

While most Muslims—and non-Muslims—are familiar with Imam Muhammad Al-Asi through his inspirational lectures and his work on the tafsir, not everyone is aware of his background. In life, our early years often prove crucial in shaping our worldview. The education we acquire, the environment in which we are raised and the teachers who guide us have a profound influence on our thoughts and ideas.

Imam Muhammad Al-Asi was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1951. His family relocated to Lebanon when he was eleven. He immersed himself in Islamic literature while at high school. In 1970 he enrolled at Beirut Arab University majoring in Arab literature with Islamic Studies as his minor. As a student he became involved with the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb Al-Tahrir and Jama’at Al Tabligh. He attended Halaqas with shuyukh trained in Al Azhar.

After graduating in 1973 he returned to America and joined the air force, serving for four years at the Andrews Air Force base in Maryland and spending training/study periods at a Texan technical school. He also attended the University of Maryland, graduating in 1979 with a B.A. in government and politics, and completing coursework towards a master’s degree in education. Like many Muslims, Sunni and Shi’i alike, he became an enthusiastic supporter of the Islamic Revolution, which ushered in a newly self-confident and expanded phase in politicized Islamic activism.

Towards the end of 1981 he was elected Imam at the Islamic Center on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington DC. On March 5, 1983 the tyrannies of the Middle East led by the House of Saud confiscated and nationalized the Islamic Center and imposed their own imposter as an Imam. With the help of hired thugs and law enforcement agencies, the Saudi Embassy expelled the elected administration. Since then, the pro-election Muslims have been forcibly barred from the Islamic Center, and compelled to conduct congregational prayers on the sidewalk of Embassy Row in Washington DC. The COVID pandemic forced them to abandon the sidewalk congregational prayers because of health and safety issues.

Let us, however, return to the ongoing project of translation and tafsir of The Ascendant Qur’an. A project of this nature requires the financial support of all people who are serious about expediting the end of the zionist-imperialist imposed world order. The Ascendant Qur’an translation for youth as well as approximately 25 additional volumes of the tafsir are anticipated in order to complete the project, insha’Allah.

We appeal to everyone to contribute towards this project. Contributions in US dollars may be made to:

Account name: TAQ WAQF Inc.

Account Number: 435056708811

Bank Routing Number: 051000017

Routing Number for wire transfers: 026009593

SWIFT code: BOFAUS3N

Bank of America

NA 222 Broadway

New York, NA 10038

SWIFT code (for foreign currency): BOFAUS6S

Bank of America

NA 555 California St

San Francisco

CA 94104, US

The TAQ Waqf Inc enjoys official charitable status in the United States, thus facilitating easy transfer of funds or deposits into its account.

The Ascendant Qur'an

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