Dr Muhammad al-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar and Member of the Board of Directors of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, inspected the Sign Language Learning Programme at Al-Azhar Mosque. He was accompanied by Dr Hani Awda, Director General of Al-Azhar Mosque, and Dr Elham Shaheen, Assistant Secretary General for Preachers’ Affairs.
The programme is a collaborative initiative between the Islamic Research Academy, Al-Azhar Mosque, the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and the Arkan Foundation for Sustainable Development.
The six-month programme is held twice a week and includes practical sessions on Tuesdays in the Ibn Hajar Hall at Al-Azhar Mosque. Its aim is to enhance the skills of preachers and enable them to communicate the message of Islam effectively to diverse segments of society.
Dr Muhammad al-Duwaini emphasised that caring for people with disabilities is a top priority for Al-Azhar, in line with the directives of the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb, Shaykh al-Azhar, to provide a comprehensive educational and outreach environment that meets the needs of all members of society without exception. He explained that the sign language learning programme represents a significant step in enhancing the ability of preachers to convey Al-Azhar’s moderate message to people with hearing impairments, ensuring their right to understand the rulings of their religion correctly and with ease.
Dr al-Duwaini also highlighted Al-Azhar’s ongoing efforts to expand rehabilitation and training programmes for people with disabilities, noting that the opening of specialised branches in various governorates marks a qualitative advancement in their integration and empowerment. These initiatives enable beneficiaries to access the scientific and Qur’anic programmes offered within Al-Azhar’s educational institutions.
It is worth noting that Al-Azhar continues to expand its services for people with disabilities. A specialised branch has been established in every governorate across the country, creating a unified educational framework dedicated to providing religious education for people with disabilities. The number of beneficiaries has reached 1,306 across 27 centres fully dedicated to meeting their needs, staffed by qualified personnel trained to work with people with disabilities in the fields of Qur’an memorisation and the teaching of sound Islamic principles.
