In a bid to promote moderation and tolerance on a global scale, the leadership of Saudi Arabia has announced the expansion of live translation services for the highly significant Arafat Day sermon in the Islamic calendar. This initiative, now in its fifth year, aims to reach an even wider audience by offering translations in a total of 14 different languages.
Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, expressed full support from the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the services at the Prophet’s Mosque and the Grand Mosque.
The project’s success has grown exponentially since its inception. In the first year, the live translation assisted approximately 1 million individuals, followed by 11 million in the second year, 50 million in the third year, and a remarkable 100 million in the fourth year. It projects that by 2022, the translation reach an astounding 200 million people worldwide.
To cater to a broader international audience, translations have approved in English, French, Malay, Urdu, Persian, Russian, Chinese, Bengali, Turkish, and Hausa. This year, Spanish, Indian, Swahili, and Tamil have added to the list of translated languages.
The decision to expand the live translation of the Arafat Day sermon demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering understanding and inclusivity among people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. By breaking down language barriers, the Kingdom aims to share the message of moderation and tolerance with millions across the globe, promoting unity and peace in the process.
