"This is not a mere translation, but it is also a matter of instilling values. Moreover, the translated books are targeted for children, so the words used must be chosen very precisely," Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar Ridwan Hassan noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
One of the books is titled "Persahabatan Damar Kurung" (Damar Kurung Lantern Friendship) written by Nindia Nurmayasari and translated by Abdullah Asmawi into Arabic.
Meanwhile, the other book is titled "Madza taqul ar-rimal?" written by Dr Sama Al Hajry and translated into Indonesian language to make the title "Apa Kata Butiran Pasir?" (What Do the Grains of Sand Say) by Choris Wahyuni.
The book launch event was held on the sidelines of the Doha International Book Fair being held at the Doha Exhibition Convention Center (DECC) on June 12-21.
The event was attended by Ambassador Hassan, Qatari Culture Ministry's Director of Publishing and Translation Mohammed Al Kuwari, and Chairperson of the Association of Qatari Authors Aisha Al Kuwari.
The activity was held as a part of the agenda for the Indonesia-Qatar Cultural Year.
Ambassador Hassan extended gratitude to the Language Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology as well as the Qatari Culture Ministry for their collaboration in translating the two books.
The ambassador also said he was fully aware that book translation was not a simple task.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of Socio-Cultural Information at KBRI Doha Ali Murtado noted that the two countries are currently coordinating to translate several more books.
"God willing, this (translation) will not be the last one," he stated.
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Translator: Asri Mayang, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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