Those with hearing disability (OKU) can now learn Al-Quran and ibadah (worship) in a more enjoyable and relaxing approach designed by a local university.

To assist people with such disability, a Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) research group has developed I-Sign QurANIS, an interactive software containing the basic lessons in Al-Quran and ibadah.

USIM Quranic and Sunnah Studies Faculty lecturer Norakyairee Mohd Raus said the primary objective of developing the software costing RM78,000 was to fulfill the spiritual needs of the group and improve their learning skills.

"Our responsibility is to give deaf people basic knowledge on how to read the Al-Quran and facilitate their understanding.

"QurANIS is a curriculum to help deaf children obtain education similar to those provided at religious schools (KAFA)," he told Bernama here recently.

Norakyairee said I-Sign QurANIS uses audiovisual effects and sign language to teach the Al-Quran to the deaf.

"We went to a special education religious school in Johor Bharu recently, and the children loved it and they could even try to read," he said.

I-Sign QurANIS was awarded a gold medal in the 2017 International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition on May 11 in Kuala Lumpur.

In this regard, Norakyairee said the product which took one and a half years to develop would be marketed to non-governmental organisations at RM100 for one CD.

"We have also approached parties in Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei to distribute the software," he said.

-- BERNAMA