Burundi translates the Holy Quran to local language

A Burundian Muslim Association has translated the Holy Quran into Kirundi, one of the two official languages of the East African country, a religious leader informed on Tuesday.

Sheikh Sadiki Kajandi, the President and legal representative of the Islamic Community of Burundi (COMIBU), said that the eight years task of changing the Quran into Kirundi, has been the first since the introduction of Islam to the country.

‘This is a great event for us, because on Monday we received the first translation of the Quran in Kirundi. This is a first since the introduction of Islam to Burundi.’

He also stated that this activity is likely to expose the Burundian Muslims who cannot understand Arabic, to understanding their religion more and much deeper, now that ‘The Book’ is in their own language.

The translation work is said to have been carried out by the Association for Mutual Aid and Solidarity (AMES), a local Muslim association in Burundi.

Sheikh Abdi John Habonimana, the Association’s Chairperson has informed that the translation had taken quite a long time, a total of eight years.

‘We thank all Muslims and non-Muslims, including University professors, who contributed to the process of making the Quran accessible in Kirundi,’ the Sheikh appreciated.

Kirundi, Burundi’s local language is spoken across Burundi and also in parts of Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.

The Islamic community accounts for 10 percent of Burundi’s total population of 11 million.

The Muslims are mainly located in such urban areas as Gitega and Rumonge as well as the capital Bujumbura.

According to historians, Islam arrived in Burundi around the 19th century.

Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu