JEDDAH, 9 May 2006 — The International Commission on Scientific Signs in the Qur’an and Sunnah (ICSSQS) signed an agreement with the Harf, a leading IT company, Sunday night to produce an online scientific encyclopedia based on Islamic holy books.
Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Musleh, secretary-general of the ICSSQS, told a press conference after the signing ceremony that the encyclopedia, which will contain all the scientific information referred to in the Qur’an and the Sunnah (Traditions of the Prophet, peace be upon him), aims to serve as a comprehensive reference work fulfilling the increasing demand from researchers the world over for documented information on the scientific information contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
“When completed the encyclopedia will be the greatest reference work on Islam from the angle of modern science,” Al-Musleh said. The encyclopedia will be distributed on CD and a website will be available both in English and Arabic.
The encyclopedia containing 8,000 pages apart from pictures and video clips will cover all the Qur’anic verses referring to scientific facts with their explanations. A team of scientists and experts in the religious studies are working on the project.
The SR2.1-million agreement stipulates that the IT company prepare 50,000 CDs of the encyclopedia and a website linked to the commission’s site www.nooran.com in addition to a print edition in 14 volumes.
The new project is part of the commission’s bid to present the shining picture of Islam to the world at large as a religion that promotes scientific research leading to contemplation about the signs of God. It also aims at familiarizing the amazing ocean of information that the Quran and Sunnah contain.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has sponsored the project.
