General News
The Open Heart of a Deaf Muslim
I do not personally consider myself as having a special ability, I believe that everyone is unique in terms of the skills and talents they have as it shows the beauty of Allah's Creation.โ
They are not words of a philosopher or a sophisticated writer; they are the spontaneous thoughts of a Muslim, American, professional, who happened to be deaf, on how he envisions himself.
Early this month life introduced me to Mobin Tawakkul, American Muslim, of Indian origin, who took over the reins of organizing a funder-raising event in late February 2010 to educate and empower the deaf Muslim community in the United States. Taken by the goal of the event, I managed to reach out to Tawakkul, who asked me to meet for the interview at All Dulles Area Muslim Society center, (ADMAS).
On the day of the interview, I expected there to be an assistant to help translate my questions to Tawakkul; but I discovered later that no one would help me - there was no need! Tawakkul can converse with me. He is gifted with the ability of lip reading, and so he can interact easily with others. I was asking, he was answering at once. Amazed, I was feeling the greatness of Godโs blessings, and the powerful will of a human being, while talking to Tawakkul.
Knowing His โWhyโ
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, in Punjab province known as the "land of five rivers," Tawakkul moved to the United States with his family when he was three years old, to settle in Ann Arbor, Michigan- the city which he describes as: โa place where interfaith and intercultural groups work together to promote ideals of respect, tolerance and compassion for one another."Since his early life, Tawakkul was drawn to study the sciences. In 2002, he received bachelor degree in chemical engineering, and then his master degree in pharmaceutical engineering in 2003, both from the University of Michigan.
After studies, Tawakkul started his professional career, but with a mission not only for his personal benefit, but for the benefit of his community- for his humanity.
The mission was simple: โto reflect the words of the Qurโan that say all people are equal in the eyes of God, whether they are in good health, or disabled or sickโ- as stated in Tawakkulโs autobiography.
From there Tawakkul went for teaching health professionals about the importance of disability needs. He used to be a board member of American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) where he collaborated with other Muslim professionals in the health field creating the Disability Needs & Awareness Working Group (DNA-WG) Committee, which he chairs at the moment.
As it is not all roses; Tawakkul faced many obstacles, especially with his feeling of alienation during the elementary school where classmates teased deaf peers because of the way they talked or acted. But with positivity, things can work magically. Remaining self-aware, Tawakkul decided to become an activist early in his teenโs years for the sake of setting the example of equality.
โWith positive reinforcement of parents, teachers, and close friends, these things were overcome via educating the fellow hearing students that we are normal, and everyone in life faces challenges.โ
โI am indebted to the American society for creating positive programs in the public school system to allow individuals with disabilities flourish with success via patiently overcoming obstacles on the way.โ- Tawakkul, with a bright glow from his eyes, was talking about how he transformed the bitter feeling into a positive inner power.
Years passed. The true mission never faded; on the contrary it kept energizing Tawakkul to โshare and careโ.
As a grown-up, Tawakkul joined the Global Deaf Muslims group (GDM), a non- profit charity organization, to raise awareness that deaf Muslims are regular individuals who wish to be active participants of the community. Tawakkul says:
โAll of the actions GDM take is in the best interest of the development of deaf Muslimsโ understanding of Islam and Muslim culture.
โWe are constantly aspiring to create opportunities for inclusion and integration for deaf Muslim children and adults in community life.โ
Appreciate the Way You Are
Reaching to this point of my interview with Tawakkul, I stopped my tape recorder, stopped thinking about the next question, stopped taking notes to write this feature; then I took a moment to ponder on the secret power given to us, Godโs chosen creatures. The power that fires up the soul with honest goals, so we keep going on, regardless the ups, downs, twists of life.I was amazed with the idea that I was there, talking with a man who, actually, cannot hear my voice, but who is blessed by a gift that enables him to go beyond that- the gift of true belief in his self, as being equal to anyone else. With positivity, Tawakkul appreciates the way he is, takes it from there to be the one who he really wants to be- an equal effective member in the Muslim American community.
โEveryone has the capability to be creative if they work diligently at it no matter what background one hasโฆโ Tawakkul sums it all.
Please read more from: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1235340648003&pagename=Zone-English-Youth%2FYTELayout#ixzz0iFTQsIKa
Source: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1235340648003&p agename=Zone-English-Youth%2FYTELayout
Email from: D_and_d_sub mailing list
