Orientalist Translation of the Holy Qur’an: Between Objective Cognitive Neutrality and Ideological Employment

This article aims to uncover the underlying motivations behind the interest of Orientalists in translating the Quran. It distinguishes between the cognitive , cultural, and religious aspects of these translations and the potential ideological and colonial backgrounds they may carry. In this context, the research addresses several points that enable a better understanding of the nature and goals of these transl ations, including an analysis of the general features distinguishing Orientalist translations of the Quran, and the identification of the methodologies used in their production whether they adhere to scientific accuracy and objectivity, or lean toward bias and subjective viewpoints. The article also discusses the major consequences of transferring the Quranic text into European languages, attempting to determine whether these translations aim to interpret the Quran as a religious reference, or if they seek to shape and frame the consciousness of Muslim populations in ways that serve projects of dominance and control.