WHAT IS NOOR FOR THE BLIND AND HOW WAS IT FOUND?

As parents of a partially sighted son, we had many experiences in our life. We tried to make our son learn the Quraan by heart. With the help of a dedicated private teacher for 11 years, he was able memorize a few surahs. However, because he was not able to revise himself, he kept forgetting what he had learnt.

We tried moon and very large print, but it did not work. Then, Allah SWT bestowed his mercy upon us. There was a program in Jamia Zakariyah Mosque, Bolton, where some blind students from Madressa Noor for the blind, South Africa, recited the Holy Quraan by reading from Braille Quraans. They also read ahadeeth from hadeeth books. This event changed our lives. We, along with our son Umer and his teacher Maulana Idrees Badat, met the principal of Madressa noor for the blind. We asked Maulana Hasan Murchie about teaching the Quraan in Bolton. May Allah Ta’alah give him best rewards of both worlds; he promised us his full support and mentioned that the whole idea of this program was to give people this awareness that blind and partially sighted brothers and sisters can also learn the Quraan and knowledge of deen - the same as sighted people can.

May Allah Ta’alah give best rewards of both worlds to Maulana Idrees Badat who presented this Idea that, along with umer, we can teach Quraan and ahaadeeth to many more blind and partially sighted brothers and sisters. At this stage noor for the blind was founded. Mrs Saeed, Maulana Badat and Mrs Hassan were nominated as the trusties for this voluntary group.

At the same time we were communicating with Henshaws society for the blind regarding various issues about Umer.  Many thanks to their support workers, who encouraged us and promised full moral and educational support for this cause. They introduced us to Bolton CVS and the help they could offer us. Thanks to Bolton CVS that they supported us very well to start this organization, and helped us to arrange a fund raising event at Quebec Hall in Bolton.

FUND RAISING

We are an independent self funded group.
The group was set up in March 2005; Many thanks to Henshaws Society for the blind people and Bolton CVS (community voluntary services), who encouraged us to start up this group. We tried to get funding for the group. Some money was available, but it was lottery funded. Therefore, we refused. On the other hand we were refused for other educational grants on the basis that money is not available for one specific religion.

Alhamdulillah, with the help of the Muslim community, on 5th May 2005, we held a charity bazaar to raise money for our group. With the help of family, friends and support from Henshaws and Bolton CVS, the day turned out to be a great success. Till today people are sending us donations for this noble cause and we are endeavouring to start classes in other towns and cities and the work of the group is expanding.

Donations have been spent on a Braille printer, computer and Islamic literature, such as Braille Noor-ul-Quraan, Braille Quraans, Braille books, large print Quraans and books and other Braille stationary.
Donations were also spent to set up an Islamic library, which includes Islamic books, audio cassettes and CDs, to assist the blind and partially sighted. Money is also used for the day to day running cost of classes & to buy stationary etc.

LESSONS

Weekly lessons are held in Bolton, because some students are at boarding school during the week. There are two classes - one for boys/men which are held in the morning and one for girls/ladies, which are held in the afternoon.

These lessons are taught by qualified Islamic teachers (Alim and Alimahs). These teachers had no experience in teaching blind or partially sighted people. We had a visit from Maulana Murchie (Head of the Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired of South Africa), who taught us how to teach blind and partially sighted people. We also received the first books from him to start the group.

Alhamdulillah, now most of the students have learnt Noor-ul-Qur'an, 30th Juz of Quraan and have now moved on to reciting the Quraan.

Alongside Quraan, we are also teaching Tasheelul Fiqh and Tasheehul Aqaaid to our younger students. Jazakallah to some brothers in Burnley, who raised donations, and got us these books and many copies of the Braille Quraan. All the teachers are volunteers.

GROUP AIMS
Our main aim is to teach Quraan to the blind and partially sighted brothers and sisters, and to spread the word that Quraanic teachings are available for everyone, regardless of visuality.

Alhamdulillah, with the help of some concerned brothers and sisters, we are setting up classes in Dewsbury. Noor for the blind will inshaAllah provide all the necessary books, Braille Quraans, stationary and teaching advice to start the classes in Dewsbury.
Classes will be held at
Masjid-e-Umer
North View
off Thornhill Street
Savile Town
Dewsbury
West Yorkshire
WF12 9LF

We offer our full support for those who want to teach any blind or partially sighted brother or sister, individually at home, or anywhere else.

If you would like to help us financially, morally or as a volunteer teacher or support worker, please do not hesitate to contact us. Contact details are given below.

Donations can be sent to us by cheque payable to ‘’Noor for the Blind’’ or you can directly deposit your donation to Noor for the blind bank account. Receipts are available on request

Bank Name: Lloyds TSB
Account Name: Noor for the Blind
ACCOUNT NO: 2058290
SORT CODE: 30-91-01

For further information please contact:
Dewsbury
Brothers: 07796562999, Sisters: 07778064975

Head Office: 74 St. Helens Rd, Bolton, Lancs. BL3 3NP

Brothers: 07973 636039, Sisters: 07980470764