MAKKAH — Efforts are under way to provide translation of khutbas or Juma sermon at the Grand Mosque in Turkish, Persian and Hausa languages shortly. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Haj & Umrah Research has started working on the project. Walid Al-Saqaabi, director of translation at the Grand Mosque, said the project would benefit thousands of pilgrims who speak the three languages as they would be able to understand the Juma sermon as well as lectures, courses and guidelines in Arabic language. The institute has already arranged translation of khutbas in English, French, Malay and Urdu spoken by a large number of pilgrims who come to Makkah for Haj and Umrah. "Our efforts will continue to provide translation services in new languages for the benefit of the guests of God," Al-Saqaabi told Makkah Arabic daily. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, has set up a committee to supervise the translation project, including scholars from Um Al-Qura, King Abdulaziz and Imam Mohammed Bin Saud universities to ensure quality. He said the third phase of the project aims at providing the service on a daily basis instead of seasons and special occasions. "Efforts are also under way to disseminate the main content of khutba, lectures and guidelines through social media networks," he added. He said the presidency would distribute receivers through permanent outlets at the Grand Mosque so that worshippers would be able to obtain the device easily.
