INTRODUCTION

The establishment of Ibnu Ummi Maktum Research Center (UMMI centre for disability research based on the Naqli and Aqli approaches aimed at fulfilling the demands of fardhu (obligatory) among the disabled. realizing the wonderful concept of religious life. UMMI is a niche area of the Faculty of Quran and Sunnah Studies (FPQS), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) which is recognized as one of the clusters and USIM showcase. Its existence also fulfills USIM’s aspirations as a blessed campus.UMMI offers research and innovation services in the field of Quran and Sunnah for people with disabilities based on the basic theory of Quran teaching and learning as mentioned four times in Surah al-Qamar: 54: 17; 22; 32 and 40:

وَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٖ

“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”

This theory as mentioned by al-Imam Fakhru al-Din al-Razi in his tafsir, Mafatih al-Ghayb who also presents four aspects, which God facilitates us in interacting with the Quran which is easy to memorize, easy to understand the wisdom, easy to touch the soul either read or listen to it and the great miracle of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. This means that requirement to facilitate the Quranic teaching and learning process is an exploration of giving space and opportunity for disabled people to be educated in religious education through strategies, approaches, methods and techniques based on their strengths and learning differences.

The effort to explore the field of Quranic and Sunnah studies for the disabled or also known as the Special Education Program begins as early as 2008, following the offering of the Faculty Compulsory Course (WF), the Braille Application in Quranic and Sunnah Studies (QNR3013) to FPQS students. In addition to supplying value added and soft skills, the course’s offerings aim to produce da’ie (preachers) among Islamic studies graduates who are able to address issues and problems of the ummah especially to train and educate disabled people in the knowledge of Allah. UMMI received the support and the MoU’s cooperation with various Islamic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) especially the Yayasan Pendidikan al-Quran bagi Anak Istimewa (Yayasan FAQEH), Persatuan Orang-orang Cacat Penglihatan Islam Malaysia (PERTIS), Malaysian Deaf Muslim Association (PRISMA) and Negeri Sembilan Deaf Association (NESDA).

VISION

To nurture humanistic values among persons with special needs based on Al Quran and Sunnah.

To be internationally recognized as a research and innovation centre for Quran and Sunnah-based education for persons with special needs, via integration of Naqli and Aqli knowledge.

OBJECTIVES

1) Conduct research and produce innovation in exploring and developing Islamic methodology, technology, psychology and materials for the disabled.

2) Build a network of expertise and establish a strategic partnership with related institutions.

3) Offer training and consultation services related to Islamic studies for the disabled.

4) Produce and collect research materials related to the disabled.

5) Training da’ie volunteers among students.

6) Establish an education hub for disabled people based on Quran and Sunnah.