Pusdeka UNU Jogja–BAZNAS RI Hold Sign Language Qur’an ToT, Expanding Inclusive Da’wah for Deaf Muslims

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — The Center for Population and Family Welfare Studies (Pusdeka) of Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), in collaboration with the Faculty of Dirasah Islamiyah (FDI) UNU Jogja and supported by the National Board of Zakat of Indonesia (BAZNAS RI), initiated a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Sign Language Qur’an Teaching for deaf Muslim men and women. This program marks the first initiative of its kind in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

The two-day ToT, held on Friday–Saturday, aimed to prepare competent trainers in teaching the Qur’an using sign language, while expanding equitable and inclusive access to religious education. Participants included UNU Jogja students as well as representatives from pesantren and Islamic study groups across Yogyakarta.

During the training, participants were not only equipped with methodologies for teaching the Qur’an in sign language but also received an official sanad (chain of transmission) directly from the team of the Qur’an Verification Committee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, represented by Ida Zulfiya, one of the formulators of the Sign Language Qur’an. This sanad serves as an important element in maintaining scholarly authority and the legitimacy of the teaching materials to be disseminated.

The Director of Pusdeka UNU Jogja stated that the initiative reflects UNU Jogja’s commitment to promoting disability-friendly Islamic outreach.

“We want to ensure that Qur’anic learning is accessible to everyone, including our deaf brothers and sisters. This ToT is an initial step in building a sustainable ecosystem of sign language Qur’an educators,” he said.

Following the ToT, participants agreed on follow-up actions, including regular monthly meetings with a rotating schedule, locations, and collective learning mechanisms. Participants were also encouraged to produce sign language Qur’an tutorial content, initially focusing on Surah Al-Fatihah and Al-Ikhlas, which are essential in daily prayers.

The program received strong enthusiasm from participants. One of them, Mbak Iffa, owner of Sogan Batik, expressed her readiness to teach the Sign Language Qur’an to her deaf employees. Public support also emerged through social media, including a positive response from a mother in Bima who hopes to teach the Qur’an to her deaf son.

“Public responses show that the need for sign language Qur’an learning is very real. This strengthens our commitment to continue and expand this program,” the Director added.

Several students from the Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies Department at UNU Jogja have already begun producing simple tutorial content, such as lessons on the pronunciation of Bismillah, as an initial step toward expanding inclusive da’wah through digital media.

Through this program, Pusdeka and FDI UNU Jogja hope that sign language Qur’an education can reach wider communities, especially families with deaf children. The initiative is expected to become a source of lasting benefit (amal jariyah) for all parties involved in strengthening inclusive and socially just Islamic outreach. [Latifah]