YAYASAN RI DONATES RM3.9 MLN FOR QURAN TRANSLATION PROJECT TO EMPOWER DEAF COMMUNITY

NILAI, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Yayasan RI (Rizalman Ibrahim) through Dar Al Qari Resources has donated RM3.9 million to Persons with Disabilities (PWD), particularly to the deaf community.

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) deputy vice chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Salleh said that the foundation, founded by Datuk Rizalman Ibrahim, has made this donation to support the success of the IshaRI Translation Project through USIM Ibnu Ummi Maktum Research Centre (UMMI).

She said that the project indirectly assists USIM UMMI researchers in completing the translation of the Malaysian Sign Language (MSL) version, which previously only had the translation of Juz Amma and several selected surahs in the MSL version.

"This project will run for six years, starting from this month until October 2030. USIM is honoured to establish the Chair of Excellence in Empowering Quran Education for the Hearing-Impaired Community, named the Dato' Hj Rizalman Hj Ibrahim Chair, for the deaf community," she said in a statement today.

"This chair also aims to conduct public lectures and develop a complete Quran IshaRI application and portal, including all 30 Juz (Recitation and Translation)," she added.

She said that the establishment of this Chair is an initiative by USIM as part of efforts to promote inclusive Quranic learning for the hearing-impaired community, who have long been left behind in their Quranic education.

She explained that this effort aims to celebrate their potential, which includes visual recitation using the Quran Hand Code and translations supported by Malaysian Sign Language (BIM).

“This Chair of Excellence encompasses a wide range of collaborative efforts, including public lectures and the development of the IshaRI Quran translation.

"In addition, Yayasan RI, through Dar Al Qari Resources (DAQR), also intends to engage UMMI for the MusafiRI project, which is an Umrah programme for PWDs, as well as an outreach Quran service project for PWDs,” she said.

-- BERNAMA