Quran Braille Workshop in Peshawar, Pakistan

All praise is due to Almighty Allah (SWT) the Lord of the World and Peace and Salutation be upon our beloved Prophet Nabi Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind was invited by Brother Mubashir Jan of Peshawar to conduct a Qur’an Braille Workshop for the Ulema and the Blind of Peshawar. He had visited Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind during his time out in South Africa with the Ladies (Masturaat) Jamaat. Upon his request, we prepared material for twenty five students. As Braille books are heavy, these weight considerations are necessary when transporting books overseas.

Moulana Waqar Younus, a graduate from Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind who is presently working with the Baitul Ilm Trust and Pakistan Disabled Foundation in Karachi did the necessary surveyand logistics needed. Ulama representing the different districts of North West Frontier Province were invited.

Alhumdulil Allah, over twenty Ulama attended. Moulana Roshan Zameer who is transcribing the Baitul Ilm syllabus into Urdu Braille also accompanied our instructor Moulana Waqar for the workshop. Ten blind students from Peshawar were present daily to learn the Holy Qur’an in Arabic Braille.

A few of these students hadnever been to school before. Somesenior blind students who had been to high school brushed up their Arabic Braille upon upgrading to the latest version. The workshop was conducted from 24 December 2013 for five days at Jamia Taj Ashraf Ul Islam, Qur’an Academy in Gulbahar Colony, Peshawar. Our Host, Hajee Mohammad Javed who is the father of Mubashir and Mufti Hassan (Principal) generously arranged delicious meals and comfortable accommodation for all participants.

The interaction between teachers and student was exciting and the Ulema witnessed the various challenges experienced by their Blind colleagues in the form of the prejudices they face in society. They were further encouraged to be pro-active, to break down barriers between the able and disabled as demonstrated by our beloved Nabi Muhammad (P.B.U.H ).

The Prophet (P.B.U.H ) is reported to have said,“Whoever guides a Blind person for 40 steps, Paradise is certain for him.” Upon completion, a few prominent guests of Peshawar were invited to distribute the certificates given to all participants before the final Du’aa was made.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) accept our efforts and may He forgive us our short comings and may He guide us from the Darkness of ignorance to the light of Imaan. Ameen.