Dutch researcher presents contemporary translation of Holy Quran for children

Since embracing Islam in the 1970s, Dutch researcher and thinker Abdel Wahid van Bommel has worked to provide a deeper understanding of the Holy Quran to Dutch society, with a particular focus on the younger generation.

Among his most notable efforts in this field is the publication of a series of books featuring a contemporary translation of the Holy Quran aimed at children. These books are carefully written in a simplified style that combines precision with profound meanings, making them more accessible to young readers.

In 2017, van Bommel published the first volume of his acclaimed series titled The Quran: Interpretation for Children, which aims to present the meanings of the Holy Quran in an easy and comprehensible language.

This series continued with two more volumes, with the second published in 2020. The final volume, released in 2024, focuses on the stories of the prophets known as Ulul Azm (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them).

Van Bommel’s translation is distinguished by its integration of the Quranic verses’ meanings with the historical context of the prophets, while addressing the challenges modern generations face in understanding religious texts.

With over a million Muslims in the Netherlands, Islam is the country’s second-largest religion. Interest in translating religious texts into Dutch has grown to meet the needs of the Muslim community. It should be mentioned that the Shia sect in the Netherlands has witnessed significant growth over the past half-century, with its followers primarily comprising immigrants from Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan.