Interactive Foundation for Deaf this is the sign name, was set up in 2016 in Malappuram, Kerala. Their main aim is to fight for accessibility, Deaf hearing equality and breaking barriers. This organisation focuses on topics such as Muslim Culture and Muslim way of living. For 4 months Mohammad Shafique and Fasith Rahman worked together to organise a workshop which was held on 1st, 2nd and 3rd March 2019, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Mohammad Shafique hosted the program.

5 Deaf leaders from each state were invited. 2-3 leaders from 16 states attended the program. Their aim was to talk about different phrases in the Quran. On 1st March, an introduction and the background about IDF was given. Shafique also gave a lecture about Indian Sign Language. Shafique spoke about how many people in India copy a lot of Signs from Saudi Arabia. He requested everyone to use Indian Signs to communicate.

On 2nd March a lecture regarding leadership and unity between the different Muslim leaders was held. Fasith Rahman gave a lecture as well. He spoke about the various phrases in the Quran which have Indians Sign names. He said the many copy the Signs from Saudi Arabia. Fasith chose 150 phrases from the Quran. After discussion, 40 of these words were approved, and the remaining 110 are undecided. Another lecture will be organised in Rajasthan or Delhi where they will further discuss this topic.

On 3rd March which was the third day, a lecture was given about Allah’s  story and his teachings. The workshop ended in the evening. For the first time so many Muslim Leaders met and socialised. The Signs were different but people still communicated. When Deaf meet people from different communities, they use generic terms such as “Hi, Hello, I am Fine”. When Deaf fMuslims meet each other they use the Signs for 40 words which were finalised at the workshop.

Tags

• ISLAMIC
• IFD
• Deaf
• Muslim
• Leader

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