The Koran (Qur'an) is the holy scripture of Islam. Muslims believe that the Koran was revealed by God (Allah) through the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad in the years 610-632. As the Koran is considered to be God’s literal word, the wording is fixed and can never be changed.
The term Koran comes from the Arabic term Qara'a which means "to read" or "to recite". The original and primary language of the Koran is Arabic. It has also been translated into many other languages.
The Koran is the primary source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It contains the religious, social, civil, commercial, military and legal code of Islam.
The term is hot as the Koran has become associated as a source of inspiration for terrorism. Media images of Muslims who carry out acts of terror often show the person holding the Koran or report that the person was in possession of teachings of the Koran before committing these acts. In fact, the Koran teaches peaceful co-existence.
26 November 2004