Portable digital Holy Qurans are becoming a popular gift item these Eid holidays. Electronics shop salesmen said the gadget is in great demand since it was introduced last September.
Mohammed Zakiuddin, showroom in-charge at Jumbo Electronics in Bur Dubai, said: "We're selling more than ten pieces a day. Many of our customers are Arabs, as well as people from the sub-continent. Some people buy more than two at a time because it's a good gift item. This is a must companion for Muslims who travel a lot."
Al Muhaffiz digital Holy Quran was first introduced in the UAE at Gitex six months ago, and since then public awareness has increased. "A digital Holy Quran that can fit in your pocket is indeed a very timely gift, like an othiya (sacrifice) that can be given to friends and kin during this occasion," he said while demonstrating the unit.
Al Muhaffiz, with Arabic and English Pocket Editions, takes the Holy Quran experience to the digital level with software of the authorised translation done by the Institute for Islamic Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan. The hardware is made in Korea.
"The magic of the product lies in the fact that everything is there. The electronic Holy Quran has become more popular because of it is easy to use and available with English translations. It also gives the Qibla direction and accurate prayer timings in more than 1,000 cities of different countries," said Riaz, a salesman in another electronics outlet.
"Since Ramadan, we've sold plenty of these units."
At Jumbo, there are two digital Quran models available: the DiMAQ-MX pocket version (Dh575) and the DiMAQ-GXP (Dh625). Both feature the complete Holy Quran text and voice and come with a free adaptor and headphones.
Basic features of the DiMAQ-MX and the DiMAQ-GXP models include English translation at a single touch, Adhan at set prayer times and 40 Hadith (Prophet's sayings) and world timings and Hijri Calendar.
Like the Digital Quran Reader, users can move forward and back through the Holy Quran, repeat as desired, and bookmark pages.
Both models offer bookmarking capabilities, a Haj and Umrah guide (in Arabic-English), one-touch option to view either Arabic Quran or its English translation, Islamic utilities, prayer times and Qiblah direction.
Gulf News 2003
