Quran now in Sinhala

Islam has spread throughout the world and the Quran has been translated into several languages. Sri Lankans now have facilities to read the Quran in Sinhala, Prime Minister and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister D M Jayaratne said.

Translator Moulavi A L M Ibrahim hands over the first copy of a Sinhala translation of the Quran to Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at the BMICH yesterday. Picture by Asharaf A Samad, Dehiwela – Mount Lavinia special corr

He was addressing the launch of the Sinhala translation of Tafheem-ul- Quran (Commentary of the Quran) at the BMICH yesterday.

The book launching ceremony was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Jayaratne and chairman of the event, Sri Lanka Jama’ath -e- Islam president Ustaz Rasheed Hajjul Akbar.

Moulavi A L M Ibrahim is the head of the Tafheem-ul- Quran Sinhala translation project.

“Around 1.8 million Muslims live in Sri Lanka with the Sinhalese and other ethnic groups. There are several ethnic groups living together in Sri Lanka. According to the Mahinda Chinthanaya, we have to live as a one nation,” he said.

“We have launched a programme to make people aware about other religious activities. We have to be united to build a united country,” he said.

Kelaniya University Social Science Department senior lecturer Prof Jayantha Seneviratne said several ethnic groups have been living in the country for years, but they are not aware about others’ religious and cultural affairs. “Inter-religious discussion is needed to build understanding. It is the beauty of Sri Lanka that people belonging to the four main religions live side by side.

“Therefore, we have to listen to each other honestly. Love and compassion is most important along with faith and determination,” he said. Director Jami’ah Naleemia Dr M A M Shukri said this was a good opportunity to build inter-religious awareness between religious groups.

Inter Religious Cooperation Association chairman Ven Dr Pallakende Rathanasara Thera, Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem also participated.