Almost four years ago a group of Deaf Muslims and supporters gathered in Herndon, VA to raise funds for a video translation of the Quran in American Sign Language. After six months of contract work and 14 chapters of the Quran completed, Global Deaf Muslims (GDM) are canvassing local masajid in order to raise the money to translate the rest of the Quran into ASL. Quran in ASLTeam currently has 9 members: Zoh Qureshi is the team Leader and Deaf Signer, Dr Daoud Nassimi, leads the scholars, and Deaf Signer Maher Eshgi helps narrate the surahs. The Muslim Link met with GDM leaders at the Prince George’s Muslim Association (PGMA) after Jummah. A slick video presentation with two young men signing the surahs that have been translated greets worshipers as they filed into the center. Volunteer Aneesa Salaam hands out pamphlets and guides the women towards the GDM table. The translation takes a long time and concentrated effort as the the material needs to be conveyed with thematic relevance, not just word to word translation. It took six months of competent scholars of both Arabic and English and the exegesis of the Quranic scripture collaborating with a team of American Sign Language interpreters as well as Deaf Muslim signers, taking Quran from the original source and bringing the interpretation directly into ASL. ASL is a visual language and written words are as hard for Deaf Muslims to understand as it is for us to try to understand Fus-ha. The language has its own syntax, grammar and vocabulary. The words of the Quran have to be conceptual narrated to the audience. GDM has released the 14 surahs and have received feedback from Deaf Muslims throughout the country. Many Deaf are converting but we have no materials to give them to learn about Islam, signs Nashiru (Nash) Abdulai. He is often asked why can’t Deaf people just read the Quran. “I am educated,” signs Abdulai. It is difficult for Deaf person who is not educated in English or Arabic to understand, especially concepts such as Rahmah, as they struggle with English as their second language. “We have to explain it to them using our language and expressions,” he signs. Syeda Chowdhury* from New York thinks it is wonderful. She signs with Aelaa ElSabbahy, the Programs and Admin Director in the hallways of PGMA. Her 30 year old son who lives in Maryland is deaf and he doesn't want to come to the masjid as there is no sign language translations or deaf access. Exchanging emails with the GDM team, she couldn’t hold back the excitement at the thought of Islamic classes in sign language held on Saturdays. “They need to understand the message of Islam, too,” says a woman who sends in cash through her daughter. “If Christians can spread the Bible in ASL why can't we translate the Quran? Most Deaf people do not read or write. Many Deaf Muslims are leaving Islam because they do not understand the Quran,” signs Abdulai. Watching the surahs released have brought hope and pleasure to the Deaf Muslims. They need our support, says Wanda as she dropped some cash on her way out. Without donations the project would stand still as it completely relies on them. So many are trying to convert our deaf Muslim brothers and sisters to Christianity. “We believe in the Kalimah,” signs Abdulai, “I hope you will support us,” he signs as he rounded up his team to plan a trip to MCC. Funds collected are used in for video distribution, video recording and production. A surah can be sponsored for $1,350, a hizb for $5,400 and a Juz for $10,800. The goal is to raise $350,000. The date for the annual GDM Benefit Dinner is set for Saturday, January 31 from 6 to 10 pm in Herndon, VA (Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave, Herndon, VA 20170) on featuring Imam Siraj Wahhaj and Dr. Nassimi. Send all checks (no cash) to this address: Global Deaf Muslim 5695 Columbia Pike Suite #201 Falls Church, VA 22041 For further information about the project contact the Director of Development of Global Deaf Muslim: donation@globaldeafmuslim.org *name changed for privacy
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