Swiss Muslim women display books at the organization’s pavilion.

By Tamer Abul Einein, IOL Correspondent

GENEVA, May 2, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Though attracting as many as 120,000 visitors over five days, the pavilion of the Cultural Organization of Muslim Women in Switzerland at Geneva Fair Book was lacking in Islamic books translated into languages used in the country.

“The pavilion sold 300 books a day but there was a severe shortage in books translated into Swiss mother tongues, especially French,” Ndia Rachdi Karmous, the organization’s chairwoman, told IslamOnline.net Monday, May 2.

The shortage was also glaring in other pavilions of Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, though the Saudis have distributed 1,000 copies of the meanings of the Noble Qur’an translated into French.

Books by prominent Islamic thinkers like Hany and Tariq Ramadan and those dealing with contemporary Islamic though, Shari`ah applications, Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) life, the status of women in Islam, Muslim bibliographies and Arab cuisine were much sought-after in the book fair, which closed doors on Sunday, May 1.

Translations of the meaning of the Noble Qur’an into French and German, the two main languages used in Switzerland, also appealed to the audience.

IslamOnline.net’s correspondent says a variety of glossy French-language Islamic books were on display in the exhibition, mainly addressing the second generation of the Muslim minority.

These books, however, focused on educational and brining-up methods rather than providing in-depth handling of topics appealing to Muslim adults, he adds.   

Obstacle

Hassna Mohammad, an organization member, regretted the absence of translations for new Arabic books on Islam to quench the curiosity of the European reader and answer many questions in a modern way and a unique discourse.

One visitor saw the translation shortage as an obstacle to Muslim reverts, who have no option but to acquire information on the faith by word of mouth.

“Though this helps them bond with other Muslims books remain a necessary reference at all times,” she told IOL.

Abdul Karim, another visitor who recently embraced Islam, suggested enlisting the service of French-speaking Muslim intellectuals as well as scholars like the Ramadans to help in the translation process.

He feared that amateurs and inexperienced translators would do more harm than good.

Islam is the second religion in Switzerland after Christianity. The country is home to 330,000 Muslims representing a sizable 4.5 percent of its eight million people.

Turks make up forty-three percent of the Muslim minority in the European country.