Mechanisms and Enforcement of Quality Control on the Translation of Qur’an in Malaysia

Abstract

There is considerable freedom in translation activities. Translators and publishers are free to produce translations according to their needs or preferences. However, when translations involve highly sensitive materials such as the Qur’an, this freedom becomes worrying. Therefore, all activities related to translation of the Qur’an need to be properly regulated in order to preserve the accuracy and completeness of meaning of the source text. Hence, this study was carried out to examine the forms of quality control employed by the Malaysian government in its effort to regulate all activities related to translation of the Qur’an, and data collection were made through document research and interviews. The study has identified two statutes regulating the translation, printing and publication of the Qur’an; Act 301 and Act 326. These two statutes are supported by several guidelines and Islamic legal rulings issued by the National Fatwa Council. The enforcement of the statutes can be seen in the forms of temporary ban, prohibition, orders to recall products from the market and seizure