Visually Impaired "camped" Eight Days A Month To Learn Braille Quran

By Anis Nabilla Md Wazilah

TEMERLOH, March 18 (Bernama) -- Challenges are never an excuse, but success depends on the effort put in - just like the unwavering dedication of a group of visually impaired individuals who 'camp' here every month to learn the Braille Quran.

Despite their age, their passion for learning the words of Allah SWT remains undiminished, burning even brighter with time. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way.

One such individual is Zulkarnain Selamat, 40, who has made it a routine to travel from Felda Rentam, Triang Bera, to the Braille Quran learning centre at the premises of the Pahang region Association of Blind Muslims Malaysia (Pertis) in Mentakab since last year.

His goal is simple yet profound - to learn the words of Allah SWT.

Visually impaired since childhood, Zulkarnain firmly believes that his condition should never be a barrier to earning spiritual rewards through reading the holy book, just like anyone else.

He and his fellow learners stay at the centre for eight days, including overnight stays, every month. Their class, under the guidance of Ustazah Nurul Hidayah Shahidan, who is also visually impaired, runs from 9 am to 1 pm.

"Every month, my family members help send me here. I took this initiative because I have loved the Quran since childhood, and at this centre, an ‘ustazah’ (female religious teacher) helps check my recitation and correct my tajwid," he told Bernama recently.

With enthusiasm evident in his voice, Zulkarnain recited verses of the Quran, his fingers gliding swiftly over the Braille code. He proudly shared that he has memorised several surahs (chapters in the Quran), including Al-Mulk, As-Sajadah, and Yasin, and is now working on memorising Al-Kahfi.

For senior citizen Mohamed Jasmi Yaakob, 71, learning the Braille Quran later in life has not deterred his determination to study the holy book, even after losing his sight due to an optic nerve problem in 2002.

The father of six admitted that mastering Braille was challenging and took time, but he remained committed to learning, encouraged by the support of fellow students at the centre.

"As we age, our fingers become rough, making it harder to feel the fine Braille dots. It took me a while to adapt... Those who have been blind since childhood tend to learn Braille faster because they’ve been using it from an early age, unlike us who lost our sight as adults.

“However, being visually impaired is not an excuse for us to stop learning. I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to study here, as commuting can be challenging and a burden for my family," said the government pensioner from Jerantut.

Former teacher Norzaiti Siwok, 58, who lost her sight in her 40s due to a retinal condition, sees learning the Braille Quran as both a personal responsibility as a Muslim and a way to earn spiritual rewards through reciting the holy book.

"For younger people, mastering Braille comes more easily, but for someone like me, fluency requires dedication. I spend five to ten hours a day revising, and so far, I have completed reading the eighth juzuk.

"I feel blessed to study here and hope that others, especially those with full vision, will find inspiration in our efforts to read and appreciate the Quran," said the mother of three.

Meanwhile, Nurul Hidayah emphasised the importance of consistent revision for mastery.

"But the foundation lies in first mastering the Braille code, whether in Rumi or Jawi, and maintaining focus," said the 25-year-old teacher.

Currently, 10 visually impaired individuals are learning the Braille Quran at the centre free of charge. They stay at the provided hostel for eight days each month.

-- BERNAMA