Grand Mosque sermon shows growth of sign language

Last week's Sign Language sermon at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a sign of the increased integration of the practice across the UAE.

For people with hearing disabilities, configuration, placement and movement replace phonetics, pronunciation and dialect.

Many non-phonetic versions of sign language have been established; all serve a single purpose, to enable people with hearing disabilities to interact with each other, and with anyone else who knows how to sign.

The word disability does not specifically appear in the Holy Quran or Hadiths. However, people with disabilities are mentioned in the Holy Quran and can be found throughout the history of Islam.

During the time of the Prophet Mohammed several people with disabilities are known to have had active, important roles in society.

Abdulla bin Umm Maktum, a companion of the Prophet Mohammed, was born blind, but was provided with important roles such as calling the faithful to prayer. On several occasions he was appointed the leader of Medina during the Prophet Mohammed's absence.

Another companion, Bilal bin Ribah, had a speech impairment and difficulty in pronouncing some Arabic words. Despite this, he was given the role of making the call for Muslims to prayer.

These companions of the Prophet Mohammed carried out their roles together; Abdulla would call the adhan and Bilal would announce the Iqama for the prayer.

In our times, there are global efforts by Muslims to use technology to find ways to allow people with hearing impairment to be educated in their religion. This is done predominantly on the internet, by creating YouTube videos and websites.

In some countries, such as the US and UK, conferences and talks related to Islamic studies now often include a person conducting simultaneous translation into sign language for those who require it, so that they too can understand and become involved.

The AhlulBayt New Agency reported this year that the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran, in Medina, has completed the first phase of translation and interpretation of parts of the Holy Quran into unified Arabic Sign Language. The main purpose of this initiative was to educate the faithful about the definitions and meaning of individual words and Ayahs, the Surahs' message.

The first phase of this process was the translation of Surat Al Fatiha, the first Surah in the Holy Quran, and of the last 20 Surahs. The next phase, for other Surahs, is expected to begin in the near future.

Closer to home, steps have also been taken in the United Arab Emirates to reach out to those with hearing impediments. These initiatives are not taken solely for education, but are also intended to ensure that those with disabilities can participate in and be incorporated into the wider society.

In Abu Dhabi, the Friday before last's prayer sermon was signed, in the unified Arabic Sign Language, at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a congregation which assembled for the event from across the Emirates. This was a great service to hearing-impaired Muslims, who for once were able to receive the sermon directly, as opposed to merely observing and perhaps being informed what was said afterwards.

The translated sermon seems to have been a success. In the future, tour guides using sign language may also be available for visitors This success is particularly notable when one considers that there are some other religious options for those with hearing impairment, such as religious classes.

In addition to its role in religious teaching, sign language has other important uses in society. The UAE government has incorporated sign language into news reports, schools and the judicial department.

Unified Arabic Sign Language is taught through both the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and the Red Crescent.

Until recently, some families kept family members with disabilities away from society. But now people with disabilities and their relatives are being encouraged to become more involved, and can be better incorporated into public life.

A few years ago it was extremely uncommon to see sign language being used in public, but this is slowly beginning to change.

Disability does not mean incompetence; instead it is an opportunity to find one's potential to become a valued member of society.

Hafsah al Habsi is a Zayed University graduate and a Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Scholar.