Kuala Lumpur: In Batu Pahat, Johor, 37-year-old Nur Hidayah Qanie Abdullah has developed an innovative way to help students with disabilities learn and memorise the Quran using hand sign codes. Despite being a person with disabilities herself, Nur Hidayah has made it her mission to ensure others like her can access and understand the Holy Quran.
Originally from Sabah, she teaches 25 students, many of whom are hearing-impaired. She explained that both she and her students faced challenges in recognising letters, pronunciation, and understanding Quranic verses. Determined to overcome these barriers, she created visual and tactile learning methods that have enabled her students to progress significantly. Some have already reached Juzuk 24.
Nur Hidayah is registered with the Akademi OKU Ngaji under the Ibnu Ummi Maktum Research Centre at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and holds certification to teach Quranic studies to those with hearing disabilities. She conducts online Quran hand sign classes from Monday to Saturday and in-person recitation lessons every weekend at Yayasan Baitulbayan in Batu Pahat.
Having embraced Islam in 2010, she herself completed the Quran using hand sign codes. Her teaching begins with the al-Rasm al-Ishari book to familiarise students with letters before introducing the hand code. Through her methods, many of her students have now memorised short surahs like Al-Fatihah, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas.
Nur Hidayah hopes more people will support disabled learners and view their efforts with respect. She believes that with sincere intention, Allah grants strength, patience, and blessings to those who teach and serve others.
