“We'll also set up a website on the Internet for this Qur'an project, so that Tagalog speakers all over the world can access this great work,” Kawther told Arab News.

The center has plans to print more copies of the 1,380-page work based on demand.

The commentary was prepared by IDCO, one of the oldest centers that engage in the propagation of Islam among the expatriate community, as a gift for Filipino Muslims.

Kawther recently signed an agreement with Muhammad Alireza, owner of a printing press, to print the book.

“This is an unprecedented work of global importance,” the ICDO chief said, adding that it is the fruit of 10 years work by a group of Islamic scholars and experts. “We have got permission from the Ministry of Culture and Information to print the book,” he added.

ICDO carried out the project as part of its efforts to spread the message of Islam among the Filipino community, considered the largest expatriate community to embrace Islam. Alireza commended ICDO for its professionalism in dawa work and said his press would do its best to publish the Qur'an commentary in the best form possible.

More than 4,000 Filipino men and women have so far converted to Islam through ICDO alone over the past years. The new Qur'an translation, which is to cost SR45, is likely to encourage more Filipinos to learn about Islam from its basic source.

Recently, Baha Gov. Prince Mashari bin Saud attended a ceremony to mark the declaration of Shahada (Lailaha Illallah Muhammadu Rasulullah — There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet) by a group of 13 Filipinos including three based in the Philippines. “Islam is a religion of brotherhood and tolerance,” the governor said while congratulating the new Muslims.

Kawther, an aviation engineer, spoke about his organization's innovative and impressive programs. “We have set up stands at domestic airports to display pamphlets in different languages on Salat Al-Musafir (prayer of passengers). We have so far distributed 500,000 pamphlets with the support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation,” he added.

The ICDO is trying to get an ISO certification. “We have completed most of the work to win this certification. God willing, we'll be the first dawa center to get an ISO,” he added.

Kawther also disclosed plans to establish a branch office in the new industrial city.