First Koran instruction centre for people who are blind opened in Aqaba

AMMAN — Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh on November 16 inaugurated the Model Koran Centre for people who are blind and visually impaired in Aqaba, with hopes that it is the first of many such centres across the Kingdom. 

“The moral support from the Awqaf Minister and the efforts to ensure the recruitment of qualified instructors for the centre was a key component in giving us strength to carry on at the time when we needed it the most,” Centre Director Seham Shebatat told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

The school was built particularly for individuals who have lost their sight or have visual impairments, as there is a limited understanding of their needs for practical assistance, especially in the south of Jordan where more than 2,000 individuals have visual impairments, Shebatat said during a phone interview.

The centre, which is the “first of its kind” in the Kingdom, welcomes male and female students of all ages, she said, noting that students are placed into three groups based on age. 

According to Shebatat, the centre both focuses on teaching the Koran and aims to alleviate the daily hardships of people who have visual impairments.

With funding from USAID valued at JD10,000, which has gone towards the purchase of computers, equipment and educational services, the centre aims to introduce students to new technologies, enhance their abilities and teach them the Koran using Braille.

“Our objective comes from everyone’s right to education. Therefore, some of the caregivers and instructors in the centre are also blind, hold higher education degrees and focus their efforts on eradicating students’ fears by working and communicating with them,” she said.

The director highlighted the responsibility of society and the Ministry of Education “to give equal education to individuals with disabilities”.