Koran translated into Balkan Roma

SARAJEVO: The Koran, the Muslim holy book, has been translated for the first time into the language of the Balkan Roma, or gypsies, according to a report recently on Iran's state-run IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting).

After several years, a Roma living in the Balkans region, Muharem Serbezoski, succeeded in translating the Koran into his mother tongue.

According to the report, quoted by the Iranian news agency IRNA, Serbezoski presented one volume of his newly published book to the reis-ul-ulema, or president of the council of Ulema of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society.

The translator said that he would introduce his version of the Koran in an official ceremony after Idul Fitri, the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan which was celebrated in Europe on Thursday.

He also said that he plans to give away free copies of the translation to fellow Bosnian Roma.

Roma are a race originally from Asia who live and maintain a migratory life in certain states in Europe and the United States. --AKI