General

As the artificer of the most widely acclaimed translation of the Qur‘ān in Spanish, Dr Mulla always had a special relationship with this book as the quintessential learning tool. He held that books set us free and it is that relationship that is symbolised in the logo of our Foundation. One of the main objectives of the Dr Bahige Mulla Huech Foundation is to publicise both Dr Mulla’s works and other contributions that reflect his interests.

The ideology of Dr Mulla will inform our publishing list. Publications will be in various formats – books, leaflets, videos and a newsletter featuring a selection of commented current news items relating to Islam and the West. All these resources will be available free-of-charge in their digital version, and can also be ordered in printed form or other media.

Islamic Law – The Sharia

In this program, broadcasted by Cordoba International TV in 2012, Dr. Bahige Mulla talks about the Islamic law, the Sharia, and its progressive or conservative interpretation within Islam.

Islam Today – Jihadism

This chapter of "Islam Today" program, broadcasted by the Spanish Public TV RTVE La2, Dr. Bahige speaks of the Islamic concept of jihad, and their different interpretations, as in the West this concept is only perceived as violent, when it is much more complex .

Tafsir – Interpretation of the Qur‘ān

The Tafsir program, bradcasted by Cordoba International, with Dr. Mulla, had great impact as our Founder was a great connoisseur of the Qur‘ān, having published the best translation to date into spanish and his Dictionary of Islamic terms, and therefore no better than him to explain to spanish-speaking audiences. The Tafsir is the science of explanation and interpretation of the Qur‘ān. It arises after the death of Muhammad to help explain the message contained in the Noble Qur‘ān. Starting as mere personal speculation, Tafsir develops a system of methodical exegesis of the Qur‘ān, verse by verse and sometimes word for word. Early efforts relied on the hadith, afterwards more dogmatic types of Tafsir were developed. The most complete work was compiled by the medieval scholar al-Tabari. Some Muslim modernists have used tafsir as a means of reformist ideas.

As an open-minded, considerate person, Dr Mulla was convinced that many of the problems afflicting human beings are due to error rather than to malice. His endeavours in the field of communication – his intellectual ijtihad – were directed at redressing fallacious argument and eristic discourse, intended solely to impose a viewpoint, instead of being prompted by a sincere quest for truth. He held that the solution to problems lay in honest, objective and direct dialogue and in subordinating an individualistic slant to that of “collective thinking”, the best tool we have to ensure coexistence in society.

In keeping with these principles, the BMH Foundation organises events – principally symposiums, conference cycles and round table discussions – at which people with a diversity of opinions strive to generate new, consensual ideas.

On 18 May 2011, Dr Bahige Mulla delivered a lecture entitled, “Relations with the Christians in the Qur‘ān and in Muslim Tradition”, as part of the conference cycle, “Elucidating to understand – for correct relations between Christians and Muslims”, organised by the Diocese of Córdoba.

The BMH Foundation was created in May 2015 on the initiative of our president, Anas Mulla, with the aim of honouring the memory of Dr Bahige Mulla Huech, and to persevere in achieving the goals he pursued in life.

As the name of our institution indicates, our mission is to promote an understanding between Islam and the West.

As a man of faith and a committed intellectual, Dr Mulla undertook several initiatives in favor of coexistence. He set about clarifying errors and tearing down prejudices, while relying on objective dialogue and a sincere search for the truth.

Following in his footsteps, the Board of the Foundation is active in five major areas: publishing, the advancement of collective thinking, cultural promotion, support for research and education. Our publishing house aims to publish and disseminate Dr Mulla’s works in both printed and digital format, particularly his excellent translation of the Qur‘ān, and other essays by specialist authors that are in line with the corporate purpose of the FBMH.

In order to promote collective thought, the FBMH will organise or support different events in a participatory format, notably meetings, conference cycles and round table discussions.

The Foundation will give special support to the promotion and assertion of Islamic culture among Muslims living in Western societies by undertaking or supporting events and activities that help spread a positive, non-stereotypical view of Islam.

Our research assistance entails supporting studies and programmes geared to our institutional objectives, as well as hosting the FBMH International Award for Understanding between Islam and the West. In the educational area, the FBMH is committed to interactive online teaching platforms – such as the Club Jamal website, targeting elementary education, or the Islam and the West website, for secondary education – as well as producing complementary material – books, records, videos – for teaching Islam in schools.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President

Anas Mulla Ani

Vicepresident

Omar Mulla Ani

Secretary General

Manel Diaz

Treasurer

Aya Mulla Ani

BOARD OF HONOR

Hend Meri Ani

Dr Bahige Mulla Huech was born in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, into a family of Iraqi extraction, on 5 April 1947. He arrived in Spain in 1966 and was awarded Spanish nationality in 1982. In 1973 he graduated in General Medicine at the University of Granada and subsequently, in 1981, obtained a Doctorate in Internal Medicine at the University of Madrid. He worked as a physician in hospitals in Madrid, Annaba (Algeria) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

A man of faith, with a profound knowledge of Islam and Arab culture, and fully integrated into Western society, he was tireless in his endeavours to promote an understanding between people of different civilizations, as embodied in numerous publications, lectures and master classes delivered at several universities in Spain and Latin America.

He earned great international acclaim and, as a committed intellectual, never ceased to be involved in projects promoting progress in human society. In the course of his life, he held several positions, notably as a founding member of the Islamic Centre of Spain, Secretary General of the Spanish Islamic Council, Secretary General of the European Council of Mosques, as a member of the World Islamic Council of Mosques, the World Islamic League and the World Islamic Council for Relief, and as representative for Europe in the World Muslim Youth League.

His university lectures have delved into the understanding between Islam and the West: "Islam and Muslims in Western Textbooks", "Islam in the Western Media", "Cultural Dialogues Between Minds", "The Modern Reform Sector in Islamic Ideology" and "International Affairs in Islam." Prominent among his numerous publications are: The Health Future for the Islamic World (1969), Problems of the Current Islamic World (1981), Muslims (Islamism) and the Obstacles of the Gulf (1988), Koranic Dictionary and Legal Terminology (Arabic-English-Spanish-French-Portuguese, 2013), Tareq: Arabic Learning Course (in 5 volumes and 13 languages, 2004), and The Muslim Communities in the West (1983). Dr Mulla also participated in conferences and lectures at numerous congresses and other international events.

Over and above his vocation as a physician and Muslim intellectual – the personification of "enlightened devotion" – Dr Mulla was also an accomplished translator, which brought together two of his major callings: his role as a linguist, enabling him to grasp textual meanings in context and successfully interpret them, and his pedagogical vocation, which led him to disseminate knowledge among the largest possible audience. This facet of Sheikh Bahige Mulla Huech is key to understanding his station as a “true guide” committed to the common good.

His major accomplishment as a translator was undoubtedly his translation and interpretation of the Qur‘ān, considered the finest translation of the Holy Qur‘ān in the Spanish language. In addition to this magnum opus in five volumes, as well as his translation into Spanish of the Dictionary of the Holy Qur‘ān (2007) and a one-volume updated summary of the same work (pending publication), Dr Mulla also placed in the domain of the Spanish-speaking readership such works as Al Quds, the Mosque of Jerusalem (2002), Palestine, Past, Present and Future (2006), Islam Against Terrorism (2007), Reading the Muslim Mind (2011) and Muslim Minorities in the World (pending publication). He also translated popularised science works and others on medicine and language learning, notably:

Electrical Pollution (1999), Nutrition and Health: a New Lifestyle, Learning Arabic (5 volumes, 1990), Children’s Stories from the Best Universal Literature (9 volumes, 1992), The Medical Encyclopedia (3 volumes, 2007).

Learn English for Kids (Age 4-7), 1 volume, 1990.

Learn English for Teens (Age 8-14), 1 volume, 1991.

Learn English for Business, 5 volumes, 1992.

Picture English Dictionary (Arabic-English, 4 editions), 1993-2006.

The Art of Communication & Study for Teens (Arabic, 4 editions), 2000.

Audiovisual Encyclopedia.

Knowledge Adventure Encyclopedia for Kids (DVD).

Az-Zad Encyclopedia (Science & Technology) Arabic, 30 volumes, 4 editions.

The main objective of the Dr Bahige Mulla Huech Foundation is to forge ties of understanding between Islam and the West, as mutual comprehension and respect are the best guarantors of a harmonious, enriching coexistence, an imperative in the globalised world we live in.

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