Qur'an Translation in Indonesia

"Through the lens of Qur’an translation this highly original collection of articles offers interesting insights into Indonesian Islam. Not only theological controversies are dealt with (for instance those in response to Ahmadi and Wahhabi-Salafi inspired translations) but also the changing language policy of the Indonesian government with regard to the national language and regional languages is explored, as well as the direct involvement of the government in initiating and sponsoring translations, like the official state translation in the national language Bahasa Indonesia and the one in Sundanese. Given the importance of the topic, the book deserves to be read not only by specialists in Southeast Asia, but by anyone interested in modern Islam."

Nico J.G. Kaptein, Professor of Islam in Southeast Asia, Leiden University

"How should the message of the Qur’an be conveyed to Muslims in regions where Arabic is not the mother tongue? The myriad contestations surrounding the translation of the Qur’an in modern Indonesia, from political pressures to linguistic choices, are deftly explored in this excellent book. In editor Johanna Pink’s lucid introduction, especially illuminating is her framing of the success of state-led Qur’anic translation projects in Indonesia as both rooted in the Islamic tradition of consensus while embracing the modern concept of the ‘invisible translator’, rather than the identifiable individual scholars of the past. This important book on manifold aspects of the Qur’an in the multilingual nation with the largest Muslim population in the world also makes a valuable and timely contribution to translation studies."

Annabel Teh Gallop FBA, Head of the Southeast Asia Section, British Library

"Johanna Pink’s latest edited volume represents a major contribution to the study of Indonesian Islam, offering rich resources in a wide range of sub-fields. The papers consider both Qur’an translation and exegesis, showing the heavy overlap between the two disciplines. The work is also of interest to historians, addressing context from earlier centuries as well as the present day. Indonesia’s rich ethnic mix is reflected in the consideration of Javanese, Acehnese, Sundanese and Madurese works. Also addressed are sectarian considerations, with attention given to mainstream, Salafi and Ahmadi approaches to the Qur’an. Interwoven throughout the papers is discussion of social, political and gender issues. This rich smorgasbord of papers gives voice to the research gifts of prominent Indonesian scholars, providing invaluable insights into the living world of Indonesian Islam."

Peter G. Riddell, Professorial Research Associate, History, SOAS University of London

"Despite Indonesia being a multilingual country, with more than 700 ethnic languages and one national language, the Qur'an has been translated only into Bahasa Indonesia and several major ethnic languages, either by independent ulemas or by the Ministry of Religion. However, many other ethnic translations endorsed by the latter would appear in the next decades. This volume edited by Johanna Pink is indeed the first book written in English on Qur'anic translations into Indonesian languages. This is undoubtedly the most important contribution so far to the international study of the Qur'an and Qur'anic translation in the largest, but rather neglected, Muslim country in the world."

Moch. Nur Ichwan, Associate Professor in Islamic Studies, State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta