Ashtech Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (ASHTECH) is an MSC status company set up with the purpose of developing the world’s first Digital Islamic Library. Equipped with the advanced technologies of document management system, natural language processing and know-how in classification of Islamic contents, ASHTECH aims to provide full access of Islamic knowledge to internet users.
The digital library as it’s name implies, concentrates on Islamic areas of disciplines that spills over to other subject matters such as the sciences, arts and economies. This database driven library will be built using a unique Islamic thesaurus, which holds approximately 30,000 descriptors to the Islamic information placed in the database. This information responds accurately and efficiently with the relevant Islamic information elements (e.g. the Quran, Hadith, Fiqah) and provides features of cross-references, partitioning, classification and various method of search and retrieval to the wide areas of Islamic matters, sciences, arts and economies.
The digital library is unique in comparison to any other electronic or automated library system in terms of the content it provides. Where the latter is purely a cataloguing system which manages the library workflow, as well as providing user friendly access to information sources of library materials such as bibliographical, authority and holdings database files, the digital library actually moves beyond the bibliographical citations to providing actual online content for the users. Although the library system may also provide abstracts and search facilities to the users, the scope of the abstracts and searches is not as extensive towards providing the whole free text of the contents to the users like digital libraries do.
Specifically built to handle Islamic knowledge information, the Digital Islamic Library utilities advanced method of data capturing, document management system and highly apposite processes to cater for the complex and sensitive Islamic knowledge materials. This peculiar system is the only one in the world which considers the Islamic classification and descriptions into the various disciplines of knowledge. With emphasis on Islamic contexts, the system meets the needs and fundamentals of handling Islamic knowledge information, such as the tafsirs, takhreejs, etc.
The digital library is also devised for Muslim parents who do not have the time to teach religion to their children. The service provides researchers and students easy access to Islamic studies, archives, dictionary and thesaurus. Some of the topics covered include the Quran, Hadith, Islamic Jurisprudence, Hajj and Umrah as well as children’s stories. Currently the activities incorporated in the Digital Library include the list stated below and many more:
- Digital Library
- Digitization Services
- Arabic Search Engine
- Arabic Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
- Speech Recognition
- Web development
ASHTECH has developed into a comprehensive and diversified IT Service provider capable of producing a total package and solution for all requirements. Having established itself into the local market, ASHTECH is expanding its activities in the global market, in line with its vision of transforming itself into a global IT solutions provider. ASHTECH has expanded and diversifying its portfolio activities become a more competent and compact solutions provider for all IT needs, both individual/corporate. It has therefore now developed total IT Package solutions provider and in the process create a niche market for itself.
ASHTECH has accomplished in providing a whole range of improved and ideal methods to diversify and conclude your business transaction via the Web. ASHTECH’s list of products and services has expanded to other related areas among others:
- Animation
- Games Shows
- Halal Products Directory
- Job Agency
- Instant information on mosques through the nation
- TV Production
- Free Advertising
ASHTECH is also at present calling on all Muslims around the world who have materials that would contribute towards developing the contents of the library including cartoons, Islamic studies in addition to materials of Islamic value to come forward and collaborate with the company to enhance our services. In addition, the library will aspire enhance the technologies of handling Malay language materials; modern or heritage in either Jawi or Rumi. With the expansion of internet penetration and the need for Islamic reference materials, the library will cater the need of students, academicians and also Muslims all over the world.
**This article was first published in The Halal Journal Pilot Issue (August 2004).
