Ashraf AboArafe
Cairo — Indonesia has unveiled the world’s first Sign-Language Qur’an (Mushaf Al-Qur’an Isyarat)—a complete 30-juz edition designed for the Deaf and speech-impaired—at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) in Cairo on Wednesday (28 January 2026). The landmark work drew strong international interest at the Indonesian Pavilion.
The Sign-Language Mushaf is a breakthrough in Indonesia’s national Qur’anic corpus, complementing the Indonesian Standard Mushaf (MSI), translated editions, and the Braille Qur’an. Published in two volumes, it is purpose-built to ensure dignified, full access to the Qur’an for Deaf communities.
Visitor enthusiasm was evident during live learning sessions led by trained demonstrators, alongside video presentations explaining the method. Many attendees—including Deaf visitors—joined hands-on practice readings and expressed keen interest in studying the mushaf further.
As part of the program, Indonesia formally presented 50 copies of the Sign-Language Mushaf to the Rector of Al-Azhar University during a seminar at the Al-Azhar Conference Center, attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs. The handover underscored Indonesia’s role as a global pioneer in inclusive Qur’anic development.
Ida Zulfiya Choiruddin, a member of the Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur’an (LPMQ) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia and one of the compilers of the Sign-Language Mushaf, voiced hope that the initiative would benefit Deaf communities worldwide.
“This Sign-Language Mushaf is an earnest effort to make it easier for our Deaf friends to access and learn the Qur’an—so that no one is left behind in Qur’anic literacy,” she said.
Speaking separately from Jakarta, Abu Rokhmad, Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry, explained that showcasing the Sign-Language Mushaf at CIBF is part of a broader strategy to expand inclusive religious services.
“This exhibition is part of the Ministry’s grand design to ensure access to the Qur’an for all Muslims, without exception—including our brothers and sisters with disabilities,” he noted.
He added that the initiative also serves as a form of religious diplomacy.
“Indonesia seeks to demonstrate an Islam that is compassionate, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the times—one that upholds social justice and human dignity,” he emphasized.
According to Abu Rokhmad, presenting the Sign-Language Mushaf at an international literacy forum strengthens Indonesia’s standing as a reference point for Qur’anic development and opens avenues for cross-border collaboration.
Meanwhile, Lubenah, Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance, said Indonesia’s participation in CIBF was carefully prepared through multi-stakeholder coordination.
“We are not merely displaying a physical mushaf; we are delivering education—through demonstrations, instructional videos, and direct engagement with visitors,” she explained.
She added that guided reading instructions and practical sign-language sessions were integral to helping audiences fully grasp the concept and purpose of the Sign-Language Mushaf.
“We hope this mushaf will continue to be developed and disseminated—both domestically and internationally—through training programs, digitization, and partnerships with educational institutions and Deaf communities,” she concluded.
