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| On October 18th, the Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Saudi Arabia invited the Arab citizens residing in Brasília and the Diplomatic Community to a dinner reception for the release of the Al Qur’an in Portuguese, translated by Dr. Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr. |
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| From left to right, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer, the Ambassador of Palestine, Mr. Musa Amer Odeh, the translator, and Vice-President of International Affairs of the Arab Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr, and the President of the Arab Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Antônio Sarkis Jr. |
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| The dinner reception was held at Porto Vittória, the same hall where the celebration of the National Day of Saudi Arabia was held on September 22nd, 2005. The Kindgom of Saudi Arabia, sponsor of the edition of the holy Al Quar’an in Portuguese, was represented by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer, who received the guests at the entrance of the hall, together with the Ambassador of Palestine, Mr. Musa Amer Odeh. |
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| The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer (far left) and the Ambassador of Palestine, Mr. Musa Amer Odeh (far right) receiving the Ambassador of Morocco, Mr. Ali Achour (second from the left) and the Ambassador of Senegal, Mr. Mouhamadou Doudou Lo. |
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| The hosts received hundreds of guests who joyfully chattered at the entrance hall of Porto Vittória, with the spectacular golden sunset of Brasília reflecting on the still waters of Lake Paranoá. When the clock marked 7:13 p.m., the exact moment when the sun set at the “horário de verão” (summer time, when the clocks are set one hour ahead, between the months of October and February), a beautiful soothing canticle was intoned allowing the Arab guests to taste dates and drinks, respecting the customs of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Qur’an "was sent down from heaven, guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation". |
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| The reception was held at Porto Vittória, with the presence of hundreds of guests from the Islamic nations, descendants of the Arab countries and authorities, merrily chattering at the entrance hall. |
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| When the time came, the faithful guests were allowed to eat the dates with coffee and water, symbolizing that the fast of Ramadan was suspended until next dawn. |
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| Such an important evening could never go without most important personalities of the Diplomatic Corps, business men related to the Arab Chamber of Commerce, Brazilian government authorities and the most distinguished members of the society of Brasília. |
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| From left to right, Ambassador Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, of Sudan, the Ambassador Odeh and the Ambassador of Morocco, Mr. Ali Achour. |
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| From left to right, Counsellor Ridha Bouguerra, of the Embassy of Tunisia, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Jordan, Shaker Al Omoush and the Counsellor of the Egyptian Embassy, Mr. Ihab Ahmed Aboserie Ahmed. |
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| Representing the Embassy of Côte D’Ivoire, Consul Koné Adama and Mr. M. Lamine Kanté. |
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| The Ambassador of Egypt, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abdalla with his second man, Counsellor Ihab Ahmed, proud of their fellow countryman who translated the Holy Qur’an, Dr. Ibraim Nasr. |
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| From left to right, Mr. Mohamed Mellah, Counsellor of the Embassy of Algeria, his wife, Mrs. Houria Mellah and the new Ambassador of Algeria, Mr. M’hamed Achache. |
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| The Director of THE GUIDE, and Administrative Director of the Association of Diplomats in Brasília, Mr. Pedro Pulo Moreira (left) receiving the Holy Al Qur’an by the hands of the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia Mr. Abdullah Alowaifeer. |
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| After enjoying the dates, the guests were led to the main hall, once again beautifully decorated room with flower arrangements and glim light, making the ambience elegant and cozy and making the event even more agreeable, and were invited to have dinner and taste a delicious banquet of Arab dishes such as Humus, Lamb, Kapsa (Chicken & Rice), Broad Beans and incredible salads, prepared by the chef of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. For those who wished so, dishes of the finest French and Brazilian Cuisines were also served. A royal feast on a very special evening. |
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| Kapsa and Lamb, two traditional Arab Cuisine dishes, composed the amazing banquet. |
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| The hundreds of guests enjoying the delicious Arab dishes. |
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| After dinner, the guests were granted a speech of the translator of the Al Quar’an, Dr. Ibraim Nasr, expressing his pleasure on being part of the initiative. Later, the Ambassador of Palestine, Mr. Musa Amer Odeh gave a speech exalting the excellence of the translator and how important this project was for the Arab nations and for the relations between Brazil and the Arab peoples. He also announced a meeting between the Ministers of Culture of the Arab nations and the Latin American nations, with the intent of promoting a better cultural interchange between the Arab and the Latin American worlds. Ambassador Odeh also thanked the brother kingdom of Saudi Arabia for sponsoring the printing of the Al Quar’an in Portuguese. |
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| Dr. Ibraim Nasr, expressing his pleasure and proud for participating of the project. |
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| Ambassador Musa Amer Odeh, exalting he work of Dr. Ibraim Nasr and celebrating the improving relations between Brazil and the Arab Nations. |
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| Ambassador Musa Amer Odeh and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdullah Alwoaifeer also handed a silver platter to honor Dr. Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr for his accomplishment. Dr. Ibraim Nasr is a Professor at the University of São Paulo, USP, and Vice-President of International Relations of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce . He came to Brazil in the beginning of the 60’s, when the President of Brazil, Mr. Jânio Quadros, requested the Egyptian Sovereign of the time, President Gamal Abdel Nasser, to point a scholar to come to Brazil and teach the Arab language. Dr. Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr, just Doctorate in France, was chosen by the President himself, and came to Brazil for a one year period. Destiny wanted differently, and he stayed until today, developing a keen relationship of love with Brazil and making history. He is the author of the first dictionary Arab-Portuguese and his translated version of the Holy Qur’an is recognized by the World Islamic League and printed in the King Fahd Complex, in Medina, Saudi Arabia, where the legitimate copies of the Qur’an are printed, according to the demands of the League. |
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| Dr. Ibraim Nasr receiving the silver platter. |
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| The invitation to translate the Holy Qur’an was made to Dr. Ibraim Nasr by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia. The Professor was excused by the University and had the help of 10 assistants among Professor of syntax, style and grammar, but the translation itself was on the hands of Dr. Ibraim Nasr. "We did it all on a type writing machine”, reminds the Professor. During four years, the project demanded total dedication. “I worked night and day”, says Dr. Ibraim Nasr. The printing of the Holy Qur’an was entirely sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will be distributed for free. When the first 1,000 copies are out, more will be sent from Medina. |
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| The 1,000 copies of the Holy Al Qur’an, handed to the guests by the hosts. Certainly an important gift for life. |
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| From left to right, Mr. Abdullah Allowaifeer, Dr. Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr and Ambassador Mohamed Abdel Fattah Abdalla, of the Embassy of Egypt. |
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The Holy Book*
The translation should provide further support to the Islamic religion in Brazil. The Koran is the book that guides the Muslim religion. It is said that the book was revealed by Allah to prophet Muhammad through archangel Gabriel over a period of 23 years, between 610 and 632. The first phase of the revelations, which lasted 13 years, took place in Mecca, and the second, in Medina. One of the main messages of the Koran is the idea of just one God. The holy book, however, also has information guiding Islamic life in areas like family, society and finance.
The Koran also tells the story of other men considered prophets by the Muslims, among them Jesus Christ. There are 25 miracles by prophets prior to Muhammad in the Koran. Some of them, indeed, are not mentioned in the New Testament, as is the case of the passage in which Jesus transforms clay into birds. As the prophet was illiterate, it was his apostles who wrote down the revelations.
Muhammad is considered by the Muslims the last of the prophets and, therefore, the Koran registers the last message sent to humanity by Allah. Muhammad was both a spiritual and political leader. He was even the head of the Islamic government, based in Medina. It was at that time that most of the passages of Koran that deal with administrative and practical matters were received. Before being discovered as a prophet, Muhammad worked as a tradesman. He died in Medina at the age of 63.
To the professor, who is Muslim and has been going to mosques since he was a child, the translation was not faced as a burden, but as a mission.
*Source: ANBA – Agência de Notícias Brasil-Árabe
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| THE GUIDE congratulates the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce for this amazing accomplishment. |
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