MALAYSIA’S ambitious Solidariti Wakaf Sejuta al-Quran project, initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2023, is approaching its goal of printing one million copies, with 700,000 Qurans already produced and the remaining 300,000 expected to be completed within the next three to four months.
Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mirasa, Executive Chairman of Yayasan Restu, said more than 500,000 copies have already been distributed both domestically and abroad, including to African nations, as part of a nationwide wakaf movement to strengthen the global reach of the Qur’an and reinforce Malaysia’s position as an international centre for Islamic scripture.
“This initiative has a profound impact on Malaysia itself and on the Prime Minister, who has become a global ambassador for the Qur’an. We continue printing, and almost every month one or two containers are sent worldwide,” he said.
The project was launched in response to a 2023 incident in Sweden involving the burning of the Qur’an, with Anwar emphasising the importance of promoting understanding of the holy text so its teachings could be appreciated across different backgrounds and faiths.
Abdul Latiff highlighted that Malaysia has emerged as a leading nation in publishing the Qur’an in multiple languages.
“We currently have 30 languages, and the Prime Minister has approved expanding to 20 to 30 additional languages on an ongoing basis. This year alone, at least 12 new translations will be completed, including ASEAN languages such as Vietnamese, Thai, Lao and Iban, as well as Urdu, Russian and others,” he said.
To date, Yayasan Restu has translated the Qur’an into Malay, English, Khmer, Tagalog, European Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, Italian, Swahili, Hausa, Portuguese, Danish, Swedish, German, Mandarin, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bosnian and Myanmar languages. Abdul Latiff said approximately 100 specialists are involved in translation and calligraphy work, collaborating with institutions in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other countries, with strict adherence to the Rasm Uthmani script as approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Translating a single language takes at least three to six months. We work with foreign experts to ensure the translations are credible and in line with the Sunni orthodoxy,” he added.
In a related development, Abdul Latiff said Yayasan Restu is preparing the Mushaf Malaysia MADANI, expected to be launched by the Prime Minister during Ramadan.
The Mushaf, which has taken five years to manually reproduce, will integrate physical and digital elements using QR code technology.
“Its appearance is like a standard Quran, but with QR codes allowing readers to access recitations, translations in multiple languages, and tajwid guidance through smartphones. This blends beautiful Jawi calligraphy with modern technology,” he said.
The project underscores Malaysia’s growing influence in Islamic scholarship and outreach, positioning the country as a key centre for the dissemination and preservation of the Qur’an worldwide. - February 20, 2026
