WASHINGTON -- The writings of ancient Arabic scholars are being translated for the first time into English through a Brigham Young University program.
The aim: To close a gap between the Western world and the Islamic community.
BYU is leading an effort to translate the works of scholars, doctors and mathematicians that have until now only been available in Arabic. Thirteen books, including ones on poetry and “Medical Aphorisms” so far have been published and three more are expected this year.
“We’ve got to do something to build bridges” between the two cultures, says Daniel Peterson, professor of Islamic Studies at BYU. “It is also very much a token of respect to the Arab world” to note the brilliance of scholars in the Arab world who have largely been under recognized.
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, pushed through a $750,000 appropriation to the Library of Congress to help fund the translation work and is hoping to get another $250,000 this year. The library, which has some 130 million items in its collection, is partnering with the university to help the effort.
Bennett says significant documents and sacred works are now available and more will be soon thanks to the university and scholars’ efforts.
The project is demonstrating “good will” between the Western world and the Arabic community, says Bennett, who adds he has heard praise from ambassadors from the Middle East.
“It really comes back to . . . respect,” Bennett said, noting the West has largely ignored great contributions to society from the Islamic world, which “once had the best of everything” with regard to science, math and philosophy.
The hardcover books include the original Arabic text on the left-hand side of the book and the English translation on the right. They are available to the general public and are being published by the Chicago University Press.
JoAnn Jenkins, the chief operating officer of the Library of Congress, says the effort to translate these works is an extension of the library’s endeavor to expand its collection to include works from all over the world. “We’re just delighted,” she said.
Peterson said the translations allow more of the world to see some of the greatest works ever written and share knowledge between cultures. “If we isolate ourselves we wither,” Peterson said.
