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Al Kalima The living word for the Arab world
Bible Translation Project
Bible translation in the Arab world has a heritage going back to at least 856 A.D. However, since the time of the Crusades, the polarization between Muslims and Christians has widened to the extent that the traditional Christian community has isolated itself from the surrounding Muslim community. In many cases, those translating the Bible have deliberately avoided using terminology from the everyday religious vocabulary of Muslims, choosing instead borrowed words from Syriac or Greek.
Some recent modern translations have attempted to use terminology more familiar to Muslims, but surveys done by Al Kalima revealed the need for a translation which would bridge the gap between the Muslim worldview and that of the Bible. With the help of theologians and linguists a team of Christian and Muslim translators and reviewers have produced a new meaning-based translation of the Gospels and Acts with explanatory articles and an introduction.
One thousand people with no previous experience of the Bible were asked to comment on the ease of understanding of the existing translations in Arabic. From that a list of problem words and concepts was drawn up and alternatives proposed. An Arab translator assisted by specialists worked on draft translations of the five books, and the drafts reviewed by a group of Aabic-speakers, and tested again amongst the general population, our intended readership. This process was repeated to produce a thoroughly comprehensible version.
Al Kalima’s biblical commentaries have demonstrated the importance of background articles. Articles explain or develop a concept that has been troublesome for Muslims to understand such as the Trinity or Jesus as the Son of God or the nature of God. These concepts challenge the most mature of Christ’s followers, let alone a person who is suspicious of the Scriptures.
In the tradition of great Arabic literature, this work is hardbound and printed with beautiful, ornate calligraphy in the same striking, decorative manner characteristic of holy books. This special presentation gives the message that the book and its message are to be treated reverently and helps overcome the prejudice of even touching a Bible. It creates an openness to receive and read the book. The first volume, the Gospels and Acts was published in March 2008 under the title The True Meaning of the Gospel of Christ. Work has begun on the second part, the Epistles and Revelation.
Praise for The True Meaning from a Middle Eastern Christian leader
When the book reached my hands in its elegant clothing, I first reflected on its title which brought many questions to my mind, the first one being: “Why would a team of educated Muslims be interested in the Gospel?” “What is a correct interpretation as far as they are concerned?” “Why would they want to do an Arabic translation of a religious text like this?” “And how?”
From the first word in this volume to the last, I was gradually overcome with joy, and after each page my astonishment increased and my heart and emotions were filled with amazement.I want to be very brief, because an adequate review of this book deserves much more time: the introductory articles are abundant and necessary, and I was delighted with them since they certainly answer many old and new questions posed by ordinary people in our society. They answer these questions frankly and with a clear and necessary fidelity that has long been lacking, addressing the gulf that has grown between the Abrahamic religions.
The interpretive text of the Gospel remains distinctly faithful to the intended meaning taken from the Holy Scriptures. This book takes its place in the ranks of other Arabic Bible translations, completing their heritage of striving to communicate the Word of God to the hearts and minds of people.