PEKANBARU, RIAU – Disability is still an issue that has a long history of stigma and limited access to public spaces. In fact, just like other identities in society, people with disabilities are often neglected. Nevertheless, Habibi, a deaf man from Pekanbaru, has managed to break through these stigmas.
Habibi Ramadan is his full name. He is active in the Riau chapter of the Indonesian Deaf Welfare Movement (Gerkatin), Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer Riau, and the Pekanbaru City Children’s Forum. He is currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems at Lancang Kuning University (UNILAK) RIAU. Habibi is a recipient of the Disability Higher Education Affirmation scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud) 2024.
At his residence, we heard the crisp laughter coming from his mother, Eliza. She said that Habibi is an active child with a high sense of curiosity. Habibi’s two younger brothers, Rasyid and Fikri, are also deaf. Each of them attended secondary and primary school. The three of them have been attending the Pembina Special School (SLB) in Pekanbaru since first grade.
Read also: Expanding Religious Horizons, Dompet Dhuafa Sends Out Al-Qur’an Teachers Sign in Riau
“Even though he has a hearing impairment, it doesn’t stop him from continuing to achieve. All three of my children are deaf. I make it clear to them that in such circumstances they must not give up. I also allow Habibi and his younger siblings to study or do activities. Of course, I still accompany them,” explained Eliza.
In the past, after learning that her first child had a disability, Eliza was even more eager to learn sign language. Starting from the alphabet to everyday terms. Her days were colorful, with alternating ups and downs. Apart from being a mother to three children, she also works as a caregiver at the SLB Pembina Boys’ and Girls’ Dormitory in Pekanbaru.
Little Habibi was sad because he was teased by his friends. However, Eliza was always there to encourage him. Over the years, Habibi grew up to be an accomplished child. One of them was winning the Gold Medal in the History Science Olympics in the 2023 National Indonesian Advance Science Competition (IASC).
He also showed his superiority in robotics interest when he won the 3rd Runner-up in the Basic Robotics Creation Event in the National AKA PDBK competition in 2024. So many medals he showed us.
His teacher at SLB Pembina Pekanbaru, Reny Sriyanti, told us about Habibi. During religious subjects, the learning method that Habibi accepted was still through verbal oral. Such as reading short letters, listening to short lectures from religious teachers. Habibi was also able to accept it well.
“If Habibi can still accept that method (verbal oral) well. He follows the lips of his teacher. Even though it’s still just short letters. But yesterday I saw that after he took part in the sign language training for reading the Koran from Dompet Dhuafa, he seemed happy and quickly understood it. Yes, because it is his main language.
I hope Habibi can teach this new knowledge to his younger siblings at the Pembina Special School. I often tell him, ‘Habibi, help your younger siblings, okay’, and he understands,” Reny said enthusiastically.
Read also: Commitment with ESQ Humanity to Realize Thousands of Signed Al-Qur’an Mushaf for Deaf Friends
On Wednesday (12/2/2025) to Thursday (13/2/2025), Habibi passed the certification exam and also received the Sign Language Qur’an from the Sign Language Qur’an Training program, a collaboration between Dompet Dhuafa and ESQ Kemanusiaan at SLB Pembina, Pekanbaru, Riau.
This teenager who aspires to become a programmer expressed his interest in learning Sign Language because it is easier for Deaf friends to understand. In addition, he also intends to improve language inclusivity in Pekanbaru through the Riau Gerkatin and DDV Riau communities.
“After gaining new knowledge of reading the Al-Qur’an in sign language, I plan to initiate this teaching to other communities. If there are any Deaf friends who are unable to attend today, I am ready to teach whenever there is time. I hope this training can help improve understanding of Islam, especially for the Deaf. Because studying the Al-Qur’an is very important and should be part of life in the city of Pekanbaru,” said Habibi in sign language.
Friends, hopefully Habibi’s story can inspire us all to keep trying new things. For the sake of inclusivity for all, let’s support and strengthen each other without limits of space and time through Donasi Al-Qur’an Isyarat. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Editor: Dhika