Landmark Projects
Cairo, 14 February 2023
Arabic Lexsitus Team announced the successful completion of the Arabic translation of the Lexsitus Commentary on the Law of the International Criminal Court (CLICC). This comprehensive work, spanning approximately 2,300 pages, is now available on the Lexitus platform, which provides extensive resources on international criminal law in multiple languages, including Arabic. The Arabic version of CLICC will soon be available in two additional formats: an e-book and a printed edition to be distributed via Amazon at cost price. CLICC offers a detailed, provision-by-provision analysis of the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Brussels, 1 November 2023
In a contribution to the newly released anthology Religion, Hateful Expression, and Violence, Fathi M. A. Ahmed provided key insights on how religious leaders can more effectively combat hate speech.
His chapter, titled Translational and Terminological Sensitizing of Muslim Religious Leaders of Al-Azhar in the Combat Against Hate Speech, delves into how language and translation play a pivotal role in shaping counter-narratives to extremist ideologies. Ahmed’s chapter comes at a time when extremism, especially that of groups like Daesh (ISIS), remains a global threat, despite claims of their military defeat. His focus is on helping Muslim religious leaders, particularly those from Al-Azhar, one of the oldest and most respected Islamic institutions in the world, refine their communication to counter extremist rhetoric.
He explores how language, terminology, and translation can be harnessed to weaken the narratives of extremist organizations while strengthening messages of tolerance and peace.
Cairo, 15 September 2015
Fathi M. A. Ahmed completed the Arabic translation of Crimes Against Humanity: Historical and Contemporary Application, a landmark work by the late Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni, widely recognized as one of the foremost authorities in international criminal law. This translation project, published by Darun-Nahda Al-Arabiya in Cairo, Egypt, was not a simple linguistic exercise but a highly collaborative and meticulous process that spanned a full year. Throughout this period, Ahmed engaged in extensive discussions with Bassiouni to ensure that the nuances of complex legal terminology were accurately and effectively conveyed in Arabic.
The significance of translating a work of this magnitude goes beyond the mere transfer of words from one language to another. Crimes Against Humanity, published by Cambridge University Press, is a comprehensive and foundational text in international law, deeply rooted in both legal theory and practical jurisprudence. Mahmoud Cherif Bassiouni’s writings, renowned for their scholarly depth and precision, present unique challenges for any translator. His work, particularly in the field of international criminal law, is deeply rooted in complex legal theories and frameworks. As such, a translator must possess more than just fluency in both languages. Translating Bassiouni’s work requires a deep understanding of international criminal law, its specific terminology, and the intricate ways in which legal concepts are articulated. This is especially true in the context of Bassiouni’s analysis of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide, where even slight deviations in terminology could result in significant shifts in meaning.
More to come...