CBQ-API: A Cloud-Based Programming Interface for Qur´anic Applications

In this paper, we describe a Cloud-Based Qur´an Application Interface, called CBQ-API, which aims at providing a unifying framework for building Qur´an related applications. CBQ-API includes all necessary components for searching, reading, annotation and building mobile applications and social networks around the central theme of Qur´an. A salient feature of the proposed API is the ability to retrieve Qur´anic verses in Arabic using search phrases in languages other than Arabic. To the best of our knowledge, such a framework for Qur´an search API is the first of its kind. In this paper, we describe the core components and design patterns of the proposed API with emphasis on key design criteria. These criteria aim at providing the necessary scalability and performance on the one hand, and quality assurance of the Qur´anic text on the other. In addition, a prototype application that leverages CBQ-API is also presented.