Qurans sold in the market contain serial numbers and Home Ministry stamps on the holy book. Even translations of the holy book are required to have similar serial numbers and stamps.

NONE The KDN stamp in Jawi script, which is located in the second last page of the Quran, reads: “The Quranic Text Publication Control Board hereby acknowledges that the verses contained in the text is correct.”

There is also a serial number in the 6cm by 3.5cm stamp, which is in black ink.

Unlike the controversial Al-Kitab, there is no stamp on the Quran stating ‘For Muslims Only’.

    

This was confirmed during Malaysiakini's visit to several bookshops in Kuala Lumpur.

It is learnt that editions and scripts of the Quran derived from Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Iraq such as the Al-Quran Al-Majid or Imla'ii editions cannot be sold.

NONE "We can only sell the Quran based on the Uthmani script. Other versions are not allowed by the Home Ministry," said Pustaka Rezeki Harapan bookshop owner Gusman Nurmawan.

He said that the enforcement on the distribution of Qurans in the Uthmani script began 10 years ago and he has been abiding to the government directive ever since.

While Qurans are the same throughout the world, there are variations in some pertaining to the scripts in which they are printed in and minor details such as over the diacritical marks used to differentiate the individual Arabic characters and pronunciation.

Yesterday, the Home Ministry defended its decision to place serial numbers and a ministry stamp on all copies of impounded Al-Kitab before their release.

Subject to ministry monitoring

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that this had always been a standard practice, while the ministry's secretary-general Mahmood Adam noted that even Qurans are subjected to the same treatment.

The duo argue that this practice did not amount to defacement of the Al-Kitab as claimed by Christian leaders.

NONE Gusman said that he also sells translations of the Tafsir Pimpinan Al-Rahman Quranic commentary published by the Islamic Development Department and the Terjemahan Al-Hidayah translations of the Quran, published by House of Al-Quran in Batu Caves.

He said that previously, he had received a notice from the Home Ministry barring the display or sale of unofficial editions of the Quran.

He said that ministry officials visit his premise every three months to monitor his stock.

Meanwhile, another trader who declined to be named said that although his business deals only with Uthmani script Qurans, there have been requests for the other scripts.

"There are buyers and clerics who seek to buy the Al Quran Al Majid or Imla'ii (editions)," he said.

Home Ministry officials cannot be contacted for comments.