Mais undertakes translation of Quran into native Sarawak languages

KUCHING: Sarawak Islamic Council (Mais) is in the process of translating the Quran into local native languages, namely Iban, Bidayuh Sadong, Bidayuh Padawan and Melanau Mukah.

In stating this, Mais president Datu Misnu Taha points this out as an effort to spread better understanding of the Quran among Sarawak Muslims.

“In addition, Mais is also running a series of workshop on refining the process of translating the verses in the Quran, which would be an ongoing exercise,” he said in his speech at the 59th ‘Tilawah dan Menghafaz Al-Quran 1440H/2019’ at Dewan Majma’ Tuanku Abdul Halim Mua’dzam Shah in Sarawak Islamic Complex here on Monday night.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the event, where Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi was also present to witness the ceremony.

According to Misnu, Mais has so far translated 10 of the total 30 ‘juzuk’ (chapters) in the Quran to Iban, 10 ‘juzuk’ to Bidayuh Sadong, and five ‘juzuk’ each to Bidayuh Padawan and Melanau Mukah.

Meanwhile, on the simultaneous hosting of the ‘tilawah’ (recitation) and ‘hafazan’ (memorisation) events this year, Misnu said it was the first ever conducted by Mais.

He added that the event signified the council’s focus on the development of all ‘tahfiz’ (Islamic education centres) in Sarawak.

“For now, we have 35 ‘tahfiz’ registered with Mais. In this sense, Mais is working on drafting the guidelines for all ‘tahfiz’ in Sarawak to ensure that these centres have very clear objectives,” he said.