Hawzah News Agency- The Expo is organised by the Global Deaf Muslim Foundation (GDMF), a nonprofit that supports deaf Muslims through events, resources, and interpreter access. Andaleeb Elayan, Executive Director of GDMF, also volunteers with the Expo.
Many deaf Muslims save whatever they can just to attend, and stable employment remains out of reach for many. Interpreter access is another ongoing challenge. Many Muslim events still don't offer interpreters, often leaving deaf participants unable to engage.
Some deaf Muslims face added barriers based on background. Those from immigrant families may not speak English or the local spoken language and rely fully on sign language.
Many mosques don’t offer sign language interpretation. Friday khutbahs and community lectures are rarely captioned. Islamic knowledge is often passed through oral and auditory traditions - leaving Deaf Muslims on the outside, looking for access. “Sometimes Muslim events forget to provide interpreters'', Elayan says. “So we reach out to find one. We do everything we can so others can feel more included''.
Without full access to language or community support, some deaf Muslims grow up without guidance on social expectations. “Some deaf people didn’t get taught manners or boundaries because they didn’t have the language early on'', she said. “We try to educate them with Islamic principles. The word is ‘adab’, which means manners. We try to teach that. We try to help each other grow''.
Source: Cairo Scene
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