All Praise Is Due to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds and Peace and Salutations be upon Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) Sri Lanka is an island situated near the southern tip of India. The Ceylon tea grown in this country is famous for its superior taste and quality. It is also the land where history tells us, our Father Adam (A.S.) landed first on this Earth when he had to leave Paradise. Upon his recent appointment in Istanbul, as International Consultant for the International Union of Braille Qur'an Services (IBQS), our principal, Moulana Hassan A.K. Murchie visited Sri Lanka and the Maldives on an exploratory tour to promote Braille Qur’an literacy. He visited the Islamic Centre for the Physically Handicapped in Dhoolmala, Thihariyya and witnessed the excellent effort and work done for children experiencing multiple disabilities. Upon his meeting in Colombo with Mufti Mohammed Riswe, the Chairman of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulema, discussions were held regarding the launch of Braille Qur'an literacy programs for the many visually impaired and blind individuals living around the country. Once statistics are finalized, a workshop is to be conducted wherein the Ulema of Sri Lanka will be trained to teach the Holy Qur'an in Arabic Braille, InshaAllah.

He then visited the Maldives, landing at the Nasir Ibrahim Airport, an airport that encompasses a whole island by itself. It is situated next to the island of Male which is the second most densely populated capital city in the world. He then took a flight two hours south to Gan, which is the nearest village south of the equator.

There he met Moulana Nasir Zakariya, his long lost colleague after almost thirty years who is presently the supervisor of Islamic Studies at the local secondary school of Hittadu.

In Addu, he had the opportunity of visiting the Hira Primary School and was greatly impressed by the creativity and Islamic ethos displayed in response to the challenges faced. Previously it was an offence for a woman to don the Niqab and for a teacher to teach about Jahannam.

A few blind sisters were identified living on this island and help is underway to assist them in learning to read the Braille Qur'an.

In the Maldives, boats are commonly used by the locals, just as we use cars to travel from one place to another. The white soft sandy beaches and warm water are exquisitely beautiful. To secure your exclusive island for a family picnic, you merely have to plant a flag indicating its engagement without any further disturbance.

In Male, discussions were held with the rector of the Islamic College to assist their blind students. Most of them are presently memorizing the Holy Qur’an orally and the directors are keen for a Braille Qur’an workshop to be held for the Maldives as well. InshaAllah.

We would like to once again thank our friends and donors for their continuous support and Du'aas in guiding the Blind from darkness to light.

May the Almighty Allah accept our efforts and may He forgive us our shortcomings. Ameen.