By: Siti Hawa Binti Mat Yunan
Friends of Faqeh (Kelab Sahabat Faqeh), in collaboration with the Student Secretariat of Faculty of Quran and Sunnah (FPQS), organised a special concert called “OKU Berdoa”.
It was in conjunction with the International Dayof People with Disabilityheld at Dewan Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.
The programme was also supported by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Yayasan Pendidikan Al-Quran for Special Children and USIM Islamic Centre.
More than 2500 people came to watch the concert, which included performances fromMyCP Association, K-link Care Association, Muslim Autism Society, The Deaf Association of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysian Association for the Blind and the FAQEH academy.
Adopting the theme ‘Saying without a veil’, OKU Berdoa 2.0 featured various performances from people with disabilities with the message of creating awareness of their needs in society.
Nurazirah, 25, who is disabled, said, the programme could highlight the talent within people with disabilities and make them more visible to the public.
“The program is very unique and interesting because it gives me the chance to perform, even though I am less than perfect physically.I hope this program will continue so that society does not exclude people like us, and always be aware of our existence”.
Furthermore, deputy program director, Siti Binti Ramna Khamaruddin, said that OKU Berdoa 2.0 brings the element of Islam and aims to educate society to celebrate the uniqueness of people with disabilities.She added that, besides raising awareness, the concert also celebrated people with disabilities so that they felt appreciated.
“The show is unique because it incorporates Islamic elements such as recitation of the Quran, Nasyid and performances using sign language, which moved the audience. They are truly special people who have been sent by God and many things we can learn from them.”
She hopes that such programmes would make the public, particularly staff and students of USIM, more sensitive and caring towards the needs of the group.
Also present was His Royal Highness, Dato’ Johan Pahlawan Lela Perkasa Sitiawan,Dato’ Muhammad Haji Abdullah Undang Luak Johol,the patron of the Foundation for Community Development in Malaysia, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof. Dato’Dr. Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan and the Faculty Dean, Prof. Dr. Adnan Mohamed Yusoff.