Jakarta, IO – It is good to recollect the contribution of those personalities hailing from Indonesian society, along with students, who lived and studied in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) regions, precisely in Tunisia and Libya, under the coordination of Brother Muhammad Fawwaz Yasser, whose creative idea it was to empower and provide service to the Deaf and the Mute Community by introducing an Electronic Masdar (EM), released in a digital platform.
This EM platform publication was humbly facilitated and then presented by the Indonesian Mission before the Congress on Arab International Languages, in the framework of the Commemoration of Arabic International Day, held on December 18-20, 2021 in Tripoli-Libya. The participation of Indonesia was considered very special, as Indonesia’s position is well known as a prominent Muslim country and founding member of the Organization of Islamic Countries, which was renamed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation/OIC.
The Congress was attended by many prominent figures and scholars of the Arabic Language who were very active in exploring their great research on the Arabic language and its contribution to national and international development. The participants had thoroughly discussed all substance and technical elements of learning and studying the Holy Qur’an as the source of reference, written in Arabic. The source of information originated from the Revelation of God Almighty, Allah, handed down to His Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon Him, (PbuH) through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation was subsequently transcribed into the Arabic language and codified by companions of the Prophet.
At the scientific and religious-oriented community gathering, the participants were delegated the responsibility to spread the universal values of Al Qurán, as the integrated source of the Arabic language. The value is open for all, in order to share the understanding and ability to learn and translate and even manage universal signs of the creation of the Universe for the living benefit of the people, not only in this world but also in the hereafter. To know how enormous is the Greatest Sign of the Universe, people must delve deeper into the miracle of words of the Revelation, as displayed in the Qur’an. In this context, the Indonesian participant presented the Electronic Masdar (EM) before the International Congress, along with its objective to fulfil the commitment in implementing the Mission of Education for All, an objective that should never be left behind, especially for the Deaf and the Mute communities. It should also be admitted that EM was considered a simple initial reference that should be upgraded in the future.
While the availability of references for Reading the Mushaf for the Deaf and the Mute is still rare, the EM publication in a digital platform was considered a breakthrough collaboration of grassroots communities (Indonesian society abroad and Indonesian Mute and Deaf Community/MTTI). This product was commended by the Istiqlal Grand Mosque Imam and Chief Education Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that the EM publication is remarkable, when it related to many aspects, such as a level of understanding of the Language of Qur’an, the Sign Language expert and the Target. Meanwhile, this initial EM publication became the instrument to strengthen the element of national empowerment and international cooperation.
It is a most encouraging moment to note that the above grassroots creativity in the field of Social Science and Religious Education seems to never flag. There are more systematic and remarkable efforts expended by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, c.q. the Committee of Lajnah Pentashih Mushaf Al Qurán/ LPMQ, in collaboration with the Experts of Sign Language and The Checker and Linguistics by publishing hybrid ( Hard and Digital Publication) THE FIRST MUSHAF AL QURÁN FOR THE DEAF AND THE MUTE. It was officially launched on October 2023.
This Committee of LPMQ affords clearer guidance and manner to the Related Stakeholder and User in terms of how to use this MUSHAF. More than ever, this publication will widen the chance for all related stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to share and bridge interaction to support empowering the Deaf and Mute Community to be more actively involved in participating in public life, in order to avoid being withdrawn. Meanwhile, the existence of related infrastructure in Indonesia will afford an opportunity for Indonesian-related stakeholders to grow and create a wider net, working nationally and internationally.
Many researchers and intellectuals state that In substance, the development of science in the world has been inspired by the contents of the Mushaf of the Al-Quran, so that the study of this Mushaf has increased communication and even opportunities for cooperation among countries and communities in the world.
This publication of Indonesian Mushaf Al Qurán for the Deaf and the Mute may enrich global reference for those who need special treatment, under specific conditions. The world acknowledges that there is an existing reference religious book for the Blind, namely, the MUSHAF in Braille, but Religious Publications for the Deaf and Mute are still rare. Now Indonesia has proffered a very encouraging asset to support its national need, and it may thus be possible to support world-related community needs.
The above achievement pales compared to what Indonesia has achieved in its general literacy rate, confirming success in reducing illiteracy. From the time of independence and up until 2022, the illiteracy has dropped drastically, from 90% to under 4%. And now Indonesia has become more aware of the Special Need Communities, featuring related infrastructure and resources (Experts, Facilities and Networking etc.) Even though the availability of such resources is still limited, it is more open for collaboration with other national or foreign stakeholders to mutually develop. These measures are also in line with constitutional commitments and obligations, with an agenda of “Education for All”.
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At last but not least, the publication on EM and Mushaf for the Deaf the Mute has proven that Indonesian intellectual grassroots, as well as the State, has never left any community behind, and always walks hand in hand in developing their people for a superior Indonesia, now and in the future.
May Allah azza wa jalla reveal an optimal direction for all Indonesians. Aaamiin Ya Robbal ‘Aaalamiin.