The Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria (MAVIN) has graduated its first set of students of Quranic recitation.
At its maiden Walimatul Qur’an graduation, the ceremony had the six graduands recite different chapters of the Holy Quran using braille.
The group solicited for scholarship, learning centre, empowerment and braille Qur’an.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairman, MAVIN Lagos chapter, Qasim Abdulgani solicited for assistance for visually impaired persons to have access to religious education.
“MAVIN is an organization for visually impaired people and the only thing that makes you a member is if you are blind. This is the first time the group is doing Walimatul Qur’an, the first in the whole of Lagos State. Our Qur’an is different from the regular Qur’an people read. Due to our challenges, we use a special Qur’an known as Braille Quran.”
He noted that the group has numerous challenges and with the help of meaningful Nigerians, it will be addressed.
“Reciting and familiarisation with the Qur’an is very much compulsory on the Muslim ummah, whether they are typical or physically challenged. As we are not exempted by Allah (SWT) to seek for knowledge, it is incumbent on us to seek knowledge. We need a centre where we can converge to seek religious knowledge, scholarships and empowerments for our members and Braille Qur’an.”
The patron, Sheikh Abdurahman Adangba said based on innovative research and current technological advancement, it is now possible to provide opportunities for the visually impaired to read the Holy Qur’an through Electronic Braille Qur’an.
“The Qur’an was first introduced in Malaysia, which gave the visually impaired access to the words of Allah (SWT). Providing Braille Qur’an for the visually challenged people is essential. Braille Qur’an is expensive. Only few visually impaired people can afford it.”
The father of the day, Alhaji Ismael Musa, who solicited help and funds for the challenged persons urged Nigerian Muslims to come to their aid.
“As we all can see, the Braille Qur’an is more expensive than the regular Qur’an. A complete volume of Braille Qur’an costs N40,000. Due to it being voluminous, it comes in four pieces and each piece costs N10, 000. I want each and everyone who can afford the Qur’an to buy it and donate as Sadaqah Jaariyah.”
The guest speaker, Chief Imam Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdul Hakeem AbdulLateef, while delivering a lecture mentioned that Allah (SWT) says the single reason why He (SWT) created humans is to worship Him and by doing that, He designed several ways of testing humans.
“Life is about trials, everything is a trial whether you like it or not. Life oscillates between thanks, gratitude and patience. Whenever you are denied, it is not because Allah does not have the competence to give you, He deliberately denied you to test if you will show gratitude for what he has given you.”
He urged Muslims to seek the knowledge of the Holy Qur’an..
“The Qur’an is the manual, Muhammad (SAW) the model. So, by all means, try your best to understand the Holy Qur’an. People who are visual impaired are ahead of many Muslims who can see. They never take the advantage of their eyes despite thousand of copies of the Qur’an is available in mosques, they refuse to learn it.
“Today, visually impaired persons are struggling to get a braille Qur’an which costs N40, 000 per one. You will see them sharing among themselves. If they can go to this extent of reading with their hands because Allah denied them the ability to see, what is the problem of those who can see but failed to take advantage of it.
“Most problems we face in this world are on account of wrong interpretation of events. If you have money, it is not a favour, but a trial. If you do not have, it is not misery, you are not expected to be miserable. You came with nothing, you will go with nothing.
“You will find out that the problem we have in Nigeria is as a result of flagrantly disregarding the injunctions of Allah. Allah says whoever is saved from his own greed is successful. Learning the Holy Qur’an, teaches charity, generosity.
“Nigerians pray very well, but they fail to fulfill the conditions of the acceptance of prayers. Nigeria does not obey Allah, but they want Allah to answer them. Nigeria must stop greed. They must stop bribery and corruption, treachery, mischief. The Holy Qur’an forbids all these acts.”
Assalamu alaikum. I just came across this post and I’m hearing about MAVIN for the first time. Please I’d like to tell you about a school for the blind in Jabi, Abuja, whose Muslim students need help and support. They’re denied their rights to practice their religion and do not have facilities for Prayers and Islamic learning.
If your organization can assist them please.