Being Visually-Impaired No Obstacle for Noorhidayah in Quran Memorizing Competition

TEHRAN (IQNA) - "Memorizing the Quran is something beautiful, especially to those who are blind like me. You (too) can memorize as anyone can succeed, regardless of who they are".

Thus, the outburst of zest from sole visually-impaired participant Noorhidayah Mohd Yusoff at a national-level Quran memorizing competition, for the Chapter One to 10 category.

Blind from birth, the 22-year-old who studies at the Johor Islamic Studies College said being visually impaired was not an obstacle to take part in the competition to represent Johor.

"This is the first time I am taking part in a memorizing competition at national-level. Prior to this, I have taken part twice in Quran memorizing contests at the Johor state-level," she said, a picture of calm during the interview.

Asked to describe challenges she went through when memorizing the Quran, the youngest of 10 children said she did not face many, except that at times, it was difficult to memorize.

"I read the Quran in Braille since three and started memorizing the Quran at 16. Even if we do not memorize much, we can use the Quran as life's guide," said Noorhidayah, who followed in the footsteps of her brother, Abdul Majid, 26, who studied at Darul Quran.

Her parents, Mohd Yusoff Mohd Husin, 67, and Hadijah Husin, 60, who live in Kuala Krai, Kelantan sent her to Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Princess Elizabeth in Johor and later to English College Johor.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Adib Imran, 17, who suffers from nervous disorder in the leg, represented Perlis in the Chapter One to 20 category.

The student of Maahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Al-Imam An-Nawawi in Kangar, Perlis said despite his handicap, it was no barrier to memorizing the Quran and entering the competition.

"This is the first time I am participating at national-level. My father always gives me strength because he wanted me to memorize the Quran from small," said the second of five children who started memorizing the Quran since he was 14.

Muhammad Adib, who aspires to become an independent religious preacher is confident he will memorize the entire Quran by age 17.

A total of 78 participants nationwide are taking part in the five-day, 37th National Level Quran Memorizing Competition beginning  Feb 16, at the Amanjaya Convention Center, Meru.

Source: Bernama