Studying in silence - 2nd September 2022

Three out of 10 disabled children in Indonesia can't attend school. But there's a new religious school for the deaf that's trying to solve this problem.

These students can study the Qur'an in Arabic sign language at this new school. Religious schools are an essential part of Indonesian society. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. But there are very few religious schools for deaf children to attend.

Abu Kahfi had friends who are deaf. There were no religious schools for them to attend. He then started this school in 2019.

Abu Kahfi: "It started 13 years ago, when I found out that some deaf people did not know their God and religion. I was moved to start a Qur'an group at home and now, 13 years later, I was able to build this boarding school for deaf children."

Religious education for these students is difficult. Their main language is Bahasa Indonesian. But they must learn Arabic sign language to study the Qur'an. And deaf people need five years to learn the Qur'an by heart.

Muhammad would like to teach the Qur'an to children.

Muhammad Rafa: "I am Rafa, 13 years old. I am from Tangerang. I chose to study in this boarding school because I aim to recite all parts of Qur'an by heart. I want to be a Qur'an teacher for children."

In Indonesia, religious schools are the best chance of education for poorer families. This new religious school will now open up opportunities for deaf children.