I am not a big fan of the Quran. Nearly all of my friends, neighbors, and co-workers respond to this simple statement with some level of shock and horror. Of course, the next question is always, “Have you actually read the Quran?” More shock and dismay when I respond, “I have. Three times, in three different English translations, all recommended by Muslims” (Yusuf Ali, Pickthall, and Saheeh International) To this the next statement invariably will be: “It doesn’t really count unless you can read it in Arabic.” Once or twice, I have turned around and caught someone with, “Can you read the Quran in Arabic?” Not many of my Turkish friends can answer that affirmatively. The fact is, I can’t read Arabic, neither can 95% of the world’s population (at least) and any “holy” scripture that is only meant to be read and understood in one obscure language is clearly…