'Kem solat' teaches deaf mute children proper way to pray

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Feeling sad and disappointed with complaints received from those who are deaf and mute has prompted Mohd Zaifullah Mustapha to organise ‘Kem Solat’ (camp to learn how to perform daily prayers) specifically designed for the group.

Team Rosoul founder and president Mohd Zaifullah, 49, admitted that he was shocked when he found out that there were individuals from the group who performed daily prayers but clueless about the purpose.

“My goal is to provide accurate information and exposure to the group on the proper method and reading (of the verses) when performing the prayers according to their disabilities.

“For example, when reciting certain verses, some of them may move their lips while others may be able to speak but can’t hear. So, through this camp we taught them the proper techniques and methods to perform prayers,” he told Bernama recently.

The first ‘Kem Solat Rosoul 2019’ was held on May 4, in collaboration with the Kengkawan Project, Malaysian Federation of the Deaf, Association of Parents of Deaf Children Kuala Lumpur and the Muslim Deaf Society.

“The one-day camp was attended by 40 deaf mute children, aged five to 13, from around Shah Alam and individuals who were concerned with the difficulties faced by the group,” he said.

He said teaching the group had its own challenges as each participant had a different types of disabilities.

“It was very challenging and in order to convey the message to this group, we roped in a sign language expert to assist us.

“As each participant experiencing different types of disabilities so it required high degree of patience to engage them as well as to create a fun programme to draw their attention to focus and remember what was being learned,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Mohd Zaifullah hoped that such programme would continue in the future.

“After this, I plan to organise similar programme that will be based on age group and level of knowledge as well as to start the syllabus from the easiest to the most difficult,” he said.

At the same time, he was also keen to organise other religious-related programmes involving the poor and underprivileged.

“Truthfully, Team Rosoul is still very new after only being set up this year and we are also looking for opportunities to give back to the community. It is my hope that these groups will not be left behind. Besides, this kind of programme is also our collective responsibility,” he said.

-- BERNAMA