Al-Azhar Al-Sharif celebrated the launch of an initiative to qualify and prepare preachers and exhorters to use sign language, launched by the Sheikh Zayed Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers.
The World Organization of Al-Azhar Graduates explained that the initiative comes within the framework of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s efforts to support people with visual and hearing disabilities. These efforts include events and evenings at Al-Azhar Mosque, in addition to technical and technological support provided by Al-Azhar University to its students with disabilities.
Participants in the celebration of the initiative to train preachers to use sign language
Dr. Mohamed El-Duwaini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, said that Al-Azhar never ignores new developments, but rather follows up on them and responds to them with determination. Therefore, encouraging the initiative to teach sign language to preachers gives a new dimension. Al-Azhar Mosque realized this last year and prepared lecturers for deaf and mute men and women.
El-Duwaini explained that Al-Azhar preachers, both male and female, possess a great deal of knowledge and are now being trained to communicate with this segment of the Egyptian population. They have a right to receive knowledge and education from Al-Azhar to achieve moderation. This work has continued since Ramadan, until Al-Azhar became a place of attraction for this important group, which receives special care from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Preachers learning sign language helps them communicate the religious message.
He emphasized that learning sign language is optional for male and female preachers, and each comes with a desire to deliver the message to this great group. To date, 80 male and female preachers have applied for the first session. We hope that Al-Azhar’s youth will fulfill their mission and spread knowledge and learning among various groups using available communication tools. For this, they will be greatly rewarded by God.
This came during the launch ceremony of the initiative to qualify and prepare preachers and exhorters to use sign language, organized by the Sheikh Zayed Center for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers. The event was attended by Dr. Mohamed El-Dweini, Undersecretary of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dr. Nazir Ayad, Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr. Daoud Salama, President of Al-Azhar University, Dr. Iman Karim, Head of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Mohamed El-Gendy, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy, Major General Wael Bakhit, Vice President of the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates, Dr. Elham Shaheen, Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and Ahmed Abu Shouk, Director of Arkan Foundation for Development.
