The Koran Translated

ISLAM IN WESTERN LITERATURE The Koran Translated An earlier breakthrough in the linguistic barrier between Christendom and Islam occurred in France with the translation of the Koran into Latin, making it the first foreign language into which the holy book was translated. This translation was undertaken around 1141 under the guidance of Peter the Venerable, the head of Cluny’s Benedictine abbey. The team of translators consisted of three Christians and an Arab collaborator. In addition to the translation, Peter also composed a “refutation of the beliefs of Muhammadans.” Following this translation, a French rendition of the Koran was published in Paris in 1649 by Sieur du Ryer, who had previously served as the French consul in Alexandria. In the same year, an English translation titled “The Alcoran of Mahomet” was also published, aiming to satisfy the curiosity of those interested in exploring what was referred to as “Turkish vanities.” The term “Mahomet,” a corruption of Muhammad, has various forms and spellings, with “Muhammad” having the most variations at fortyone. This particular translation is commonly attributed to Alexander Ross. With the decline of the Moors in Spain, the Ottoman Turks emerged as the primary champions of the Islamic faith. Initially, Martin Luther believed that the Turks could be seen as a divine punishment for the sins of Christendom, but when they besieged Vienna in 1529, he changed his stance and preached the necessity of waging war against them as infidels.