The Wairarapa branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community recently gifted the Wairarapa Library Service two copies of the Qu’ran printed in Arabic and te reo Māori. The Qu’ran, in te reo, is Kur’ānu Tapu. Martinborough and Carterton libraries each have a copy.
Considered the Muslim holy book, the Qu’ran sets down laws and commandments governing social and moral behaviour. It has been translated into more than 70 languages worldwide. This translation of the Qu’ran in te reo, considered the first of its kind in New Zealand, is the work of Shakil Ahmad Monir (1932 – 2017).
Mr Monir taught himself te reo over several years, using an English-to-Māori dictionary, te reo Māori Bible and a grammar book as his starting points. It would take him another 20 years to translate the Qu’ran.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes in ‘love for all, hatred for none’ and it is the hope of Tashriq Hanif, the president of the Wairarapa branch, that “the readers enjoy the beautiful teaching of Islam.” If you’re interested in Islam or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, you can contact Mr Hanif tashriq.hanif@gmail.com
Now for an altogether different sort of book…
Polly’s Pick – a book review by Pollyanna Potts. Pollyanna recently won a prize in the Upper Hutt Library Short Story Competition so she knows a great story when she reads one!
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
“Avoid large places at night. Keep to small…”
When a classroom of kids is invited for a field trip to a farm, Brave Ollie, her watch, Whiny Coco, and Boy Scout Brian are dismayed to be going on a rainy day. Even more so when their bus breaks down in the middle of nowhere and disappears into the world behind the mist. Will the group of friends (including Ollie’s watch) find a way to return to their home world before it’s too late?
This book captivated me from the very first page, and I wish it kept on going and going!
I love the character development, and I felt I could really relate with Ollie and her friends. Perhaps Ollie could have been a bit more scared but at the same time I’m glad that didn’t happen because then I would’ve been struggling with that horrible feeling of helplessness where you want to help the character.
The plot is twisty, not too confusing, wonderfully spooky, and fun to read. I admire the descriptive ability of the author – everything is so detailed! – and it has inspired me in my own story-writing.
Recommended for ages 10 – 13 (in fact, anyone who enjoys a really good book).
Go to wls.org.nz to reserve your copy today!
