First Quran Translation into Dusun Language Unveiled in Malaysia

IQNA – The first translation of the Holy Quran into the Dusun language was unveiled in a ceremony on Sunday in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

The ethnic groups in Sabah, especially Muslims from the  Kadazandusun and Murut communities, can now understand the meaning of the Quran with the Arabic verses translated into the Dusun language.

Chairman of the Malaysian Kadazan Dusun Murut Muslim Organisation (KDMRS Muslim) Nicholas Sylvester said 10,000 copies of the Dusun Al-Quran have been produced and distributed for free, while another 50,000 copies would be printed, Malaysia’s Daily Express reported on Sunday.

He said the effort to translate the Quran into the Dusun language started 20 years ago when he first went to the rural areas to conduct missionary work.

"The Dusun language used for the Quran translation is the standard  Dusun language used by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) as well as the school teaching co-curriculum which is (dialect) 'bunduliwan', ” he told reporters after the launch of the Dusun Al-Quran by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

“This project involves language experts proficient in ethnic languages and Arabic to translate verses of the Quran. The translation team, led by Dr Joseph Gimbad along with his team members Naim Majin, Sulaimin Musinin and Esibi Lakui, are native Dusun speakers using the language in their daily conversations,” The Borneo Post quoted Sylvester as saying.

“They will also simultaneously assist as facilitators for the translation project of the Quran into four other ethnic languages namely Kadazan, Murut, Rungus and Sungai,” he added.

Speaking to reporters after the launching ceremony, Nicholas explained that KDMRS’s role is to produce translations of the Quran in the native ethnic languages so that the Holy Book becomes a guide for Muslim communities among the ethnic groups in Sabah.

“KDMRS will not stop at just translating the Quran, but will also continue efforts to translate hadiths, sirah and other great works of Islam to strengthen Islamic civilization among the ethnic groups in Sabah,” he said.

Source: Agencies