‘Braille Quran Conference’ in Indian-Administered Kashmir Discusses Helping Visually Impaired
It drew participants from across India and abroad, and speakers stressed education, technology, and religious learning as keys to empowerment.
The conference was presided over by Moulana Haji Muhammad Hussain Abdul Qadir Mirchi, a South African citizen of Indian origin who runs a unique school for the visually impaired in South Africa. The institution provides education and training in modern sciences and technology to students from over 35 countries.
The event was jointly organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association Srinagar, Madrassa Noorul Quran Maharashtra, and Darul Uloom Noomaniya Banihal. The conference aimed at empowering nearly 70,000 visually impaired people in Jammu and Kashmir by promoting education, training, and religious learning through Braille.
Speaking at the event, Moulana Farid Selia from Madrasa Noorul Quran Maharashtra said that the number of visually impaired persons in Jammu had increased from 58,000 in 2011 to 70,000 today.
“Most of them are confined to their homes, without access to education or jobs. Parents should come forward and connect their children with institutions like Darul Uloom Noomaniya to give them opportunities for growth, he said.
Moulana Muhammad Sajad Nadvi of Jamia Riyaz-ul-Soliheen Sopore praised the efforts of Mufti Zulfiqar Ahmad, administrator of Darul Uloom Noomaniya Banihal, for introducing Braille Quran education in J&K.
He noted that while many institutions work for the disabled, little has been done to promote Quranic education through Braille in Kashmir.
The event also saw participation from Muhammad Saqib, a visually impaired Braille Quran proofreader from Bihar currently studying in Maharashtra. Demonstrating how education transformed his life, he showcased skills in digital tools, information technology, and artificial intelligence. “AI has made our lives easier, enabling us to stand alongside the rest of society,” he said.
In his address, Mirchi called for joint efforts by the government and civil society to support the visually impaired, describing the mission as “difficult and full of challenges”.
He said that helping blind individuals is both a moral and religious responsibility. “The command of Allah and His Messenger is that we must extend every possible assistance to them, whether privately or through organizations, because society has forgotten these people,” he remarked.
He highlighted how information technology and artificial intelligence have opened new avenues for the visually impaired, making their lives easier and enabling them to move forward with dignity.
Over 100 visually impaired individuals, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir, attended the conference. Banihal MLA Haji Sajjad Shaheen, who was present at the conference, said he was deeply moved by the courage and capabilities of the participants. He announced Rs 2 lakh from his constituency development fund for purchasing modern educational tools and equipment for visually impaired students.
Read More:
Several speakers stressed that parents must stop considering blind children a burden, emphasizing that with the right education and training, they can achieve great success. Participants demonstrated their ability to read Braille books, operate computers and mobile phones, and use modern technology, including artificial intelligence.
In his concluding address, Mufti Zulfiqar Ahmad urged parents to equip their children not only with Quranic knowledge but also with modern subjects like science and mathematics. This conference is a significant step towards empowering visually impaired individuals, he said.
The event also featured Irfan Ahmad, a para-athlete and cricketer from Pampore, who has represented Jammu and Kashmir in national cricket tournaments for the visually impaired since 2015. He highlighted the negative perceptions towards blind people across India and thanked his parents for supporting him unconditionally.
The conference ended with a resounding message the visually impaired are not a burden but an asset to society, capable of achieving self-reliance and excellence through education and technology.
Source: greaterkashmir.com
