A new eBraille device provides a lighter, more affordable way for visually impaired Malaysians to access the Quran and religious education.
KUALA LUMPUR: A locally developed eBraille device is opening new doors for Quranic and religious education for the visually impaired.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the innovation addresses the challenge of bulky, conventional Braille Qurans.
“Previously, the visually impaired relied on a six-volume Braille Quran weighing about 10 kilogrammes. Now, they only need to use the eBraille device, which weighs less than one kilogramme,” he said.
He was speaking after officiating an eBraille device workshop and presentation ceremony.
The event was organised by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council and developer Edote Sdn Bhd.
Zulkifli said 10 devices were distributed, with two placed at mosques in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur.
“We want to produce more Quran teachers who are proficient in using the eBraille device,” he added.
YADIM president Datuk Dr Hasan Bahrom said 20 visually impaired teachers attended the workshop.
He said RM90,000 was allocated by the Prime Minister’s Department for the initiative.
The funding aligns with the government’s push for agencies to leverage technology in public service.
Hasan said the programme supports the Action Plan of Religious Agencies for Muslims with Disabilities 2024-2028.
YADIM will continue to expand such programmes through collaboration with various partners.
The goal is to empower persons with disabilities within the national dakwah development agenda.
