According to APS, on January 12, 2019, the Minister of Religious Affairs welcomed, on the occasion of Yennayer, the exegesis of the Quran in Kabyle.
A project he began in the 1970s, Shaykh Si Hajj Mohand Tayeb has finished the first publication of a translated Quran in proper Kabyle using Arabic script.
Si Hajj Mohand Tayeb, a retired teacher who worked in Lakhdaria, Bouira, then in Tizi Ouzou, is particularly known for his mastery of Islamic studies. Si Hajj Mohand has distinguished himself by this translation of the Holy Quran. His book was published in Saudi Arabia where he was awarded a prize for his efforts in theology. In addition, a symposium was organized recently by the Religious Affairs of Tizi Ouzou under the wali of Tizi Ouzou, in the presence of all the imams of the wilaya. His book will be distributed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment.
Speaking at a scientific conference organized by the National Association of Local and Sustainable Development, the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowment Mohamed Isa says that this exegesis is “the first of its kind in Algeria and the Maghreb.”
“This publication reflects the deep understanding of the Holy Quran and Islam, lays the groundwork for the Amazigh language and methodology and opens the doors for research and enrichment in the future,” pointed out the Minister.
Abdelghani Ouicher, president of the National Association of Local and Sustainable Development, paid tribute to Mohamed Isa for his efforts while stating that he has not ceased to encourage the work of translating the Quran into an Amazigh language.
This exegesis in Kabyle released in the conference room of the Riadh hotel in Sidi Fredj (Algiers) could trigger a domino effect with other Amazigh languages.
Si Hajj Mohand Tayeb said that the Quran was difficult to translate because of its highly distinctive quality, adding that his work was limited to the exegesis of the Quran.
The representative of the National Association revealed that, in the coming months, 100,000 copies (which will cost 10 million DA) will be printed and distributed in Kabylia for free. A free application on the internet will also be created following the author’s request.
The event was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of the Moroccan and Saudi embassies in Algiers, some official institutions, scholars and imams.
