Putting Disability on the Muslim Agenda

Currently, Muslims who are deaf or hard of hearing have no access to learning how to read the Qur'an or take part in any Islamic study classes. To make the Qur'an more readily available in Braille for Muslims who are blind. There is no opportunity for Muslims with intellectual disabilities to be taught anything about Islam outside of their families. The majority of mosques and Islamic centers in the Greater Toronto Area are not even wheelchair accessible.

The Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAMD) has a vision to create a global village that includes full access for people with disabilities by promoting principles of accessibility.

"We have a right to practice and experience our cultural and faith-based traditions and to be valued, respected, and included in society and within our communities," said Rafia Haniff-Cleofas, one of the founders of CAMD. CAMD is a national non-profit organization that was recently founded by some strong disability advocates.

The key objectives of CAMD are:

• To ensure that people with disabilities have access to spiritual and social activities, events, and programs in their place of worship.

• To resource and facilitate physical accessibility, alternative communication or sign language interpretation as well as alternative print formats for faith-based institutions.

• To research and promote information about faith, spirituality, and culture through the living experiences of people with disabilities and their families.

Time and time again, Muslims with disabilities and their families state that there are no support mechanisms within the Muslim community; that they do not know about their entitlements; and that mainstream services do not respond adequately to their individual religious needs as Muslims.

"Parents of children with disabilities are constantly looking for the opportunity for their children to learn how to read the Qur'an; however, there are no accessible programs available to assist them," comments Omaya Rakieh, a founder of CAMD.

A deaf Muslim stated that his only option to learn about Islam was to be the first one in the mosque and to sit right in front of the imam, from where he would struggle to read the imam's lips during the khutbah.

CAMD advocate `Ali Mohammad said, with an air of cynicism that "our community is thinking about elevators to accommodate the able-bodied to carry coffins for funeral services after having ignored us individuals with disabilities for years."

First CAMD Project Underway

CAMD will be conducting a broad-based consultation with Muslims who have disabilities to determine and document what issues and barriers they face within the Muslim community at mosques, Islamic centers, and Muslim events. Focus groups will be held with Muslims who have disabilities and family members at the Crescent Center throughout May. The outcome will formulate a report that will be disseminated to Muslim leaders to ensure that accessibility is no longer ignored and becomes a priority on the community agenda.

Rabia Khedr is the spokesperson for The Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAMD) and can be contacted at rkhedr@diversityworx.com.