This Kerala mosque becomes first in the country to have Friday Namaz in sign language

A sign language specialist will interpret the meaning of sermons at every prayer meeting at this mosque in Kerala.

“In a heart-warming gesture, a mosque in Kerala is specially designed to cater to the needs of differently-abled believers. This Muslim place of worship in Malappuram will ensure that the speeches and sermons delivered are also understood by differently abled people. The new Masjid Al-Rahma which is offering this service is located on a 5-acre campus can accommodate around 500 people at once. Now differently-abled believers will also be able to understand the call of prayer, azan on Friday. The mosque, Masjid Al-Rahma at Pulikkal in Malappuram district is the first in the country to meet the needs the differently-abled people. The mosque was inaugurated by C P Umar Sullami, president Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama in the presence of various Muslim scholars from across Kerala.

A sign language specialist will interpret the meaning of sermons at every prayer meeting while it will also be displayed on LCD screens inside the mosque. Times of India quoted Musthafa Madani, chairman of Ability Foundation, a non-governmental charitable organisation as saying, “Even when people with other disabilities benefit from religious talks and preaching during Friday namaz, the hearing impaired are left out. We hope this mosque would prove a blessing for them.” Rapper Snoop Dogg’s sign language interpreter Holly Maniatty grabs limelight at music festival (Watch Video)

Making it fully equipped for the needs of differently-abled people the mosque has ramps, arm rests in toilets and wheelchairs. The idea of coming up with a special mosque struck Madani whose NGO runs an institution for 300 differently-abled students after realising that most hearing-impaired students skipped prayer meets. Hussain Madavoor, a senior Mujahid leader and also chief patron of Ability Foundation was quoted saying, “It should be considered a historical event as an NGO, with the support of NRIs and local people irrespective of caste and religion, came together to promote equal opportunity for the disabled.” The construction of the mosque is estimated to be around 75 lakh. (Image for representational purpose only)