Indonesia to Launch New Quran Translation in Local Betawi Language

Indonesia to Launch New Quran Translation in Local Betawi Language
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Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is preparing to release a new translation of the Quran into the Betawi language, widely spoken in Jakarta and surrounding areas, after completing translation work that began in 2024. The project has now entered the verification stage to ensure linguistic and theological accuracy.

Siddiq Sisdianto, head of the Center for Evaluation of Religious Books and Literacy in Jakarta, said the translation aims to bridge sacred texts with community life and promote inclusive religious literacy. He emphasized that the goal is to help Betawi speakers better understand the Quran’s meanings in their everyday language, strengthening the link between scripture and daily experience.

Ahmad Yani, head of the verification team, noted that the project went through three stages — pre-translation, translation, and post-translation — and is being reviewed meticulously for precision and eloquence. The ministry has translated the Quran into around 30 regional languages, ten of which have been digitized to expand accessibility and preserve Indonesia’s diverse Islamic heritage known as Islam Nusantara.