Indonesian and Saudi Ministries Collaborate to Reprint Quran in Sign Language

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: In a landmark collaboration, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Religious Affairs, Endowments, and Dawah have joined forces to reprint copies of the Quran in sign language, reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in religious education.

The announcement of this initiative was made during the launch of “Iqro’na,” a practical guide for learning the Quran in Braille, held on Monday, as confirmed by Amien Suyitno, an official at the Indonesian religious ministry. The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta unveiled the plan, emphasizing its significance in widening access to the Quran for individuals with special needs worldwide.

Suyitno underscored the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “This step will help provide copies of the Quran in sign language more widely to people with special needs throughout the world.” The initial copies of the Quran in sign language were produced by Lajnah Penastihan Mushaf Al-Quran under the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The mass reprinting endeavor will be spearheaded by Majma Malik Fahd Li Thibaah Mushaf Syarif, the printing agency under the Saudi religious ministry. This initiative reflects the shared commitment of both nations to ensure inclusivity and equity in religious services, aligning with the government’s vision of fostering a more just and egalitarian society.

Al-Hazmi, the religious attaché of the Saudi Arabian Embassy, expressed admiration for the sign language version of the Quran developed by Lajnah Penastihan. He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to enhancing the accessibility of religious texts, stating, “This Quran will be a reading source for our brothers and sisters who have special needs throughout the world.”

Furthermore, Al-Hazmi announced plans to double the production of the sign language Quran in Medina, underscoring the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to supporting individuals with special needs in accessing religious education and resources.

As Indonesia and Saudi Arabia forge ahead with this collaborative effort, hopes are high for the expanded availability of the Quran in sign language, empowering individuals with special needs to engage more fully with their faith.