Restu Foundation Upholds The Quran Through Art And Translation
For Muslims, Ramadan is not merely a month of fasting and increased acts of worship, but one of profound spiritual significance. On the 17th day of Ramadan, known as Nuzul al-Quran, the first revelation was sent down to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), marking the beginning of his prophethood.
The first revelation comprised the opening five verses of Surah al-Alaq, which form the foundation of Islamic faith and education. Among its central messages is the call for humanity to recognise Allah through His creations and to pursue knowledge as a path to knowing the Creator.
From that moment, the Quran was revealed gradually over more than 22 years to Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Jibreel, serving as guidance for Muslims. For this reason, Muslims are urged to uphold and honour the sacred text.
In Malaysia, efforts to preserve the dignity of the Quran and protect it from acts of desecration are carried out through legislation, enforcement agencies and various organisations. Among them is Restu Foundation, which produces mushaf (written copies of the Quran) and translations to help Muslims better understand and appreciate the holy book.
RESTU FOUNDATION MUSHAF
Mushaf, or more accurately mashaf, refers to a handwritten volume of the Quran. Through the initiative of Restu Foundation, Quranic mashaf reflecting local artistic identity have been produced.
In an interview with Bernama, Restu Foundation Executive Chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Mirasa said the idea of producing a locally inspired mashaf emerged in 1987, when the question arose as to why Malaysia did not have its own mashaf identity, as most copies circulating among Muslims at the time reflected Middle Eastern influences.
This prompted the idea of producing a mashaf incorporating Malay motifs and local Islamic artistic elements without compromising the authenticity of the Uthmani script tradition, a move that would later become a source of national pride.
Abdul Latiff, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Nasyrul Quran, said the process of copying the Quran requires meticulous precision and years of training, with local youths being trained systematically.
The manuscript was also brought abroad to be evaluated by calligraphy experts and grand imams to ensure it met international standards.
As a result, the first Malaysian mashaf was produced in 2000, handwritten by local calligraphers and adorned with Malaysia’s cultural identity. It also underwent a strict tashih process — the verification and authentication of Quranic verses by the Quran Printing Control and Licensing Board of the Home Ministry — before being officially printed.
TEAM-BASED SYSTEM
At Restu Foundation, their uniqueness lies not only in the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship of the mashaf, but also in their team-based system, where each individual has a specific role such as copying the text, decorating, colouring, studying motifs, applying 24K gold to the ornamental designs, and managing digital work, making the process of producing Quran volumes more organised and efficient.
“Unlike the traditional approach where a single individual copies and decorates a mashaf, a process that may take years, sometimes up to 16 years and often ends without continuity.
“Restu Foundation chose a different path. We built a team of specialists where each individual focuses on their area of expertise. With this approach, expertise is preserved and passed down from one generation to the next,” he said.
He added that the foundation currently employs more than 250 personnel, with over 100 directly involved in mashaf production.
Although their salaries are modest, many staff members have served for more than 20 years due to their passion and dedication to the Quran rather than financial reward, with their work now recognised internationally.
Every year, Restu Foundation personnel are invited overseas to participate in exhibitions and programmes related to mashaf, including in Uzbekistan, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Italy and Russia.
TRANSLATIONS
From a single manuscript, the Malaysian mashaf has now reached various parts of the world. Quran translations have been completed in 30 languages, including Mandarin, Japanese, German and Swahili, with plans to produce translations in another 30 languages.
Through these efforts, Malaysia is increasingly recognised as a centre for Quran publication and translation, demonstrating how mashaf artistry has become a bridge for global Islamic outreach.
The initiative has also received support from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who during a visit to Restu Foundation proposed the idea of Malaysia printing and distributing one million copies of the Quran worldwide as a dignified response to the Quran-burning incident in Sweden in 2023.
“Each translation requires time, expertise and international collaboration. The foundation works with universities both locally and abroad, including those in Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as well as the International Islamic University Malaysia and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.
“Several international translators have also voluntarily come to Malaysia to submit their translations, including a translator from Russia,” he said.
With a structured team system, the transfer of expertise across generations and strong global collaboration, Malaysia is emerging as a global centre for Quran translation, distributing mashaf and their translations worldwide while preserving local artistic and cultural values.
MUSHAF MADANI
In conjunction with Ramadan, Restu Foundation will launch its 13th mashaf, to be introduced under the brand Mushaf Malaysia MADANI, which is currently undergoing printing following collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Home Ministry.
The mashaf features a unique integration of the physical Quran with digital technology. Each page is equipped with a QR code that allows users to scan and listen to Quran recitations while accessing translations in Malay, English, Tamil and Mandarin.
“Holding a physical mashaf of the Quran is a sunnah and remains important in society, but Restu Foundation also adapts to technological advancements.
“For five years, our team of scribes worked on this new manuscript as a symbol of commitment to making the Quran the foundation of governance and life guided by the Quran and hadith,” he said.
In terms of printing, Abdul Latiff said new mashaf editions are usually printed in about 5,000 to 15,000 copies initially before increasing to 50,000 or even 100,000 depending on demand.
Distribution will be carried out through cooperation with JAKIM as well as infaq and wakaf initiatives. Members of the public can also contribute to enable mashaf copies to be distributed free of charge to various locations, in line with the government’s one-million Quran waqf initiative.
Through this launch, Restu Foundation hopes to bring the public closer to the Quran in their daily lives, in line with the MADANI spirit championed by the Prime Minister.
QUDS
Looking ahead, the foundation, in collaboration with Nasyrul Quran, plans to develop the Quranic Discovery Science Centre (QUDS) in Putrajaya.
The centre will serve as an interactive space combining Islamic architecture and digital technology to help the public better understand the Quran.
“The concept is to allow visitors, particularly the younger generation, to explore the contents of the Quran through visual approaches, experiments and knowledge-based storytelling, not merely to admire a beautiful mashaf, but to understand its meaning in everyday life,” he said.
He added that the government has approved funding for the project, which will be developed near the Nasyrul Quran Complex in Putrajaya. Planning and design work have begun, and the centre is expected to be completed within about three years.
According to Abdul Latiff, QUDS is not merely about constructing a building but represents an effort to promote knowledge and community engagement, while serving as a platform for Malaysia to share its understanding of the Quran with the world.
