Udupi: Dr Veerendra Heggade Releases Kannada Translation of Quran
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)
Udupi, Sep 1: 'Kannadalli Quran Anuvada', the Kannada translation of the Quran done by Abdul Salam Puthige, was released by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade at a ceremony here on Saturday September 1.
The translated version was published by Bangalore Madhyana Prakashana under the auspices of district Forum for Humanity Lions District 317-C.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Heggade that society today is facing plenty of problems today, especially with regard to peace and unity. "Peace is necessary in this world as well as the next. Crime should be stopped in order for peace to prevail, and this can happen only through the Gita, the Quran and the Bible," he said.
"The nation should understand and believe in the idea of unity in diversity. I respect my religion, I love my religion, I like my people. But it does not mean that for the existence of my religion I have to throw out other religions," he said, adding the one should follow the police of 'live and let live'.
"We are like a bouquet which looks beautiful when there are different religions and castes, where unity is the ultimate binding power."
Dr Heggade further said, "Read the Quran is important to know Islam better, and everyone should respect the values expounded in it. Peace and violence is in the hands of those who read religious texts and those who do not."
Reciting a verse from the Quran and explaining its meaning he said, "Quran says one should believe in Allah and surrender to His will. This is the right thing to follow. One should respect one's parents and love one's religion. This is the way to come up in life."
Parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church Fr Fredrick Mascarenhas said that all religions preach the same and that the programme organized to release the Kannada translation of the Quran was the best example of unity.
"We pray in different ways and call God by different names, but God is one," he said.
He also congratulated the district Forum for Humanity for bringing out the Kannada version of the Quran and said that now even those who do not know Arabic would be able to read the Quran, which will help not only the Muslims but also everyone else. He urged the gathering to read the Quran.
Abdul Salam, the translator, spoke briefly on what the Quran preaches and said that it explains everything from the beginning of life to its end.
Udupi district Kannada Sahitya Parishad president Neelavari Surendra Adiga, MP Jayaprakash Hegde and others were present. An 'Eid Sauharda Koota' was also organized on the occasion.