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In Erbil, the bustling heart of Iraqi Kurdistan, an extraordinary educational revolution is changing lives. For centuries, the holy Quran has been recited aloud in mosques and homes, guiding the faithful through its profound verses. Yet, for thousands of deaf Muslims, these teachings have remained inaccessible, locked behind a language barrier that prevented them from engaging directly with the sacred text.

Now, through the pioneering work of a visionary Kurdish educator named Ezaddin Hamed, the Quran has been translated into sign language for the very first time. This historic achievement grants the deaf community the opportunity to study Islam's holiest text in a way once unimaginable.

Born in 1978 in Erbil, Hamed's connection to the deaf community runs deep. Three members of his own family are deaf, a reality that influenced his life and career. He spent years as a preparatory teacher and translator for deaf individuals, interpreting Friday sermons at a local Mosque. Still, he realized that even these efforts were not enough. 

"I felt that the deaf were deprived of reading the Quran. Teaching the Quran to deaf students using the Arabic alphabet proved cumbersome. Without sign language, the holy words remained remote," Hamed says about his initiative in an interview with ������. 

Searching for solutions, he found that while a few short Surahs had been adapted into sign language in some Arab countries, no one had completed a full translation of all 114 chapters. Determined to fill this gap, Hamed created a comprehensive sign-language version, ensuring deaf Muslims could directly access the Quran's wisdom.

Translating the Quran: A monumental task

Hamed embarked on a two-year mission, meticulously adapting each verse from the Quran into a visual format. Sign language, with its nuanced gestures, is needed to capture complex theological concepts. This intricate work demanded Hamed's deep understanding of the deaf community's linguistic needs, refined through years of translation experience.

Before long, Hamed's efforts garnered serious attention. A committee from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs, including Muslim scholars and deaf representatives, reviewed his work. They praised the accuracy and innovation of the translation. The Kurdistan Scholars Union proposed nominating Hamed for the Guinness World Records, recognising his work. 

Nabaz Ismael, the spokesperson for the KRG Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs told ������, “The Higher Fatwa Committee in the Kurdistan Region after full research had permitted the translation, hence we as the ministry praise Hameed and his work. It is a vital step in helping deaf people read the holy book.”

Deaf Muslims could now confidently engage with the Quran, knowing this version was both authentic and accessible. When they received their copies, many cried tears of joy, describing how their homes seemed suddenly brighter, filled with newfound spiritual light, Hamed said.

Overcoming challenges: Education and accessibility

While this translation is a monumental step, challenges remain. Merely having a sign-language Quran does not guarantee full understanding. Many deaf individuals face additional barriers, including limited literacy and the absence of a standardised Kurdish sign language. Translators and educators emphasise the need for supplementary guidance.

"The work is good," says Gulzar Abdullah, a tutor at Amazha Organization for Human Development, "but it's difficult for the deaf to fully understand the texts unless tutors interpret them in detail."

Abdullah agrees that training courses, workshops, and more educational initiatives are necessary. By teaching deaf readers how to navigate the complex material, these efforts can transform the Quran from an inaccessible artefact into a living, resonant source of wisdom.

Hamed's vision extends beyond Kurdistan. He hopes that deaf Muslims in Jordan, Egypt, and across the Islamic world will someday open a sign-language Quran and find its verses familiar. Achieving this global reach requires cooperation, cultural sensitivity, and work toward standardising sign languages. It is a daunting task, but one Hamed believes is worth pursuing.

A wider mission: Addressing structural inequities

Hamed's groundbreaking translation sheds light on broader challenges facing the deaf community in Kurdistan. Estimates of the deaf population vary from around 3,500 to as high as 10,000, illustrating the difficulty of gathering accurate data.

Educational opportunities are limited. Deaf students attend school only through the ninth grade, after which options narrow drastically. Many must rely on private rehabilitation centres and receive only minimal government support. Such constraints can hinder the community's ability to fully benefit from Hamed's work.

His project, therefore, highlights not just the need for religious accessibility, but also the urgent call for social reforms. By raising awareness, Hamed and others hope to encourage improved educational structures, better financial aid, and the development of sign-language standards that can uplift the deaf community as a whole.

A legacy of hope and inclusion

Despite these obstacles, Hamed's translation has already changed lives. For the first time, deaf Muslims can encounter the Quran directly, studying its verses at their own pace and in their language. This represents more than a religious milestone; it challenges long-held assumptions about who can engage with a holy text and in what form.

Hamed remains committed to making the Quran available to anyone who wishes to print more copies, provided they do so without profit. "I only want the reward from Allah," he says, reflecting a deep humility and devotion that transcends material gain.

As awareness spreads and resources improve, Hamed's work may serve as a catalyst, inspiring others to consider new ways of bridging linguistic gaps. Through his efforts, a once-distant spiritual legacy is now accessible, cherished, and alive. In this quiet transformation, faith transcends barriers.

Dana Taib Menmy is an investigative journalist and ������'s Iraq reporter. His work has appeared in Al-Monitor, Al Jazeera English, Middle East Eye, The National, among many other outlets

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