For the past five years, 42-year-old Mohtar Efendi has dedicated his life to a selfless mission: helping the deaf community in Pamekasan, East Java, learn to read the Quran. He performs this noble role entirely as a volunteer, receiving no salary for his commitment.
Mohtar’s hands dance fluidly through the air, translating every word written on the chalkboard into precise, expressive gestures. Occasionally, he raises his eyebrows or emphasizes movements with his lips to convey deeper meaning. In front of him, over a dozen pairs of eyes remain fixed on his every motion, with students responding through subtle nods or their own hand signals.
This scene unfolds every Sunday morning at the Syekh Muhammad Hasyim Asy’ari Mosque, located at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Pamekasan. Amidst the silence of the room, Mohtar guides his students through the intricacies of Islamic teachings.
Mohtar began this journey in 2021. Despite the lack of compensation, he travels from mosque to mosque across Pamekasan every weekend to reach his students. He even makes house calls to ensure those unable to travel can still receive proper guidance. His sessions at the Syekh Muhammad Hasyim Asy’ari Mosque typically run from 9:30 AM for two hours, utilizing Bisindo—the Indonesian Sign Language—which he finds most accessible for his pupils. After lessons, the group performs the Dhuhr prayer together, often concluding with a shared meal on the mosque veranda.
A Labor of Love
“Their smiles are my reward. When I bridge the gap between our languages to share religious knowledge and teach the Quran through sign language, I find a sense of happiness that is truly priceless. That is why I am so passionate; this is not something I trade for money,” Mohtar shared.
By profession, Mohtar is an honorary teacher at an Islamic junior high school (Madrasah Tsanawiyah) in Pamekasan, having earned an English degree from the University of Madura in 2004. His calling to serve the deaf community began in 2021 during a Maghrib prayer at a mosque near his home in Larangan Tokol village. Witnessing three deaf students attempting to participate in religious activities with the help of an interpreter sparked a profound desire in him to master sign language.
He traveled to a boarding school in Magetan, East Java, to learn the foundations of sign language in a three-day intensive course, later refining his skills independently. This knowledge became the key to building trust within the Pamekasan deaf community. Starting with only four or five students at the Arek Lancor Monument, Mohtar now supports a growing group of 45 individuals.
Addressing a Critical Gap
Mohtar was moved to act after realizing that many deaf individuals struggled to read the Quran, with some unable to navigate basic religious texts despite attending special needs schools (SLB). “Before, they couldn’t recite the Quran at all. They were only familiar with the alphabet,” he explained.
Ernawati, a teacher at SLB Negeri Bugih Pamekasan, confirms the reality of this educational gap. While religious education is part of the curriculum, limited contact hours—often only two to three hours a week—make deep learning difficult. “It is difficult to hold students to the same standards as those who can hear; there will inevitably be differences,” she noted.
Mawardi, Head of the Pamekasan Ministry of Religious Affairs, acknowledged that there are currently no fully inclusive madrasas or boarding schools in the region specifically equipped for the disabled. While all institutions are technically required to accept students with disabilities, the lack of sign-language-based materials for essential practices like ablution and prayer remains a significant hurdle.
Overcoming Challenges
The path has not been easy. Mohtar initially struggled to find a permanent venue, rotating between students’ homes and less-than-ideal locations provided by social services. It was only a year ago that the Ministry of Religious Affairs office provided space at the Syekh Muhammad Hasyim Asy’ari Mosque. Financial hurdles also persist, as specialized sign-language Quran copies are expensive, often requiring donations to procure.
Efforts to recruit other volunteers have largely stalled. “Some ask if there is a salary or payment involved. When I tell them there isn’t, they simply do not continue,” Mohtar recalled.
Looking Toward the Future
Despite the obstacles, the results of Mohtar’s five-year dedication are visible. Students like 21-year-old Izas and 41-year-old Ratih have gained both fluency in reading the Quran through sign language and a deeper understanding of their faith. Buoyed by this progress, Mohtar is now working toward a new goal: compiling a specialized guidebook for teaching the Quran to the deaf. He hopes this resource will eventually become a standard guide for schools and madrasas, ensuring that religious education becomes more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Summary
For the past five years, 42-year-old Mohtar Efendi has volunteered his time teaching the Quran to the deaf community in Pamekasan, East Java, using Bisindo. He began this mission in 2021 after noticing a critical gap in religious education for deaf individuals. Mohtar travels weekly to locations like the Syekh Muhammad Hasyim Asy’ari Mosque, motivated by the invaluable happiness he finds in his students’ progress.
Despite challenges such as securing venues and funding for specialized sign-language Qurans, Mohtar’s dedication has significantly impacted 45 students. He is now compiling a specialized guidebook to standardize and enhance accessible religious education for the deaf. This effort aims to address the acknowledged lack of inclusive madrasas and sign-language resources in the region.