A Historic Step in Marawi: Braille Quran Training Successfully Completed

Between 10 and 25 August 2026, in the city of Marawi in the Philippines, we completed with prayers the Braille Quran training program organized in cooperation with IBQS, TİKA, the Çare Association, TUFIFSA and the Sharief Group of Colleges. It was the first training of its kind in the region.

Our three-person team, led by IBQS President Halis Kuralay, left Istanbul Airport on the night of 8 August carrying Braille Qurans, English-language Elif primers, writing slates and styluses, and white canes. After a thirteen-hour flight the team was welcomed in Manila by the Çare Association. The same night they flew on to Cagayan and completed the journey to Marawi by a three-hour road trip. The course was held at the Norma Sharief Cultural Center (NMS Center) of the Philippine Muslim Teachers' College.

Twenty-six visually impaired participants, 18 men and 8 women, joined the course. The first days were especially hard for the women. Sighted Filipino youth helped the instructors communicate with students who had never received any education, did not speak English and could not even count. By the end of the third day hopes had faded, but on the fourth day an unexpected surge of motivation appeared: the students began to progress quickly and to apply what they had learned with great excitement. One of them, Nur Cennet, said this was the first education she had ever received and that she would "never, ever forget" her teachers.

None of the participants had ever owned a white cane. Each received one, and in the limited time available they were shown how to hold it and told why it matters.

The closing program, hosted by Ibrahim Macarandas, began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by student Ali Nur Talip. Students Nur Cennah, Alim Ashary Hadji Alawi and Amerah Watamama Manaol, as well as Dr. Abdulhamid M. Gunda and IBQS President Halis Kuralay, delivered speeches, followed by a performance of hymns by the students.

After the heartfelt speeches of Sultan Ador and his wife Dr. Noralin Mangondato Sharief, who opened the doors of the NMS Center wide and spared no support or attention, the closing ceremony ended with refreshments and a group photograph.

IBQS President and course instructor Halis Kuralay presented the work of the Union and prayed for the liberation of Palestine and all oppressed Muslims. He emphasized that everyone can share what they have and can find someone in need of help around them. Noting that the participants included people who could already read the Quran as well as those meeting the braille alphabet for the first time, Kuralay said that each student received a Braille Quran, an Elif primer, a slate, a stylus and a white cane. He described the program as eye-opening for the visually impaired participants and as a bridge of friendship and solidarity between the two communities.

Speakers noted the great need among visually impaired people to learn the Quran in braille, and said that the dedication, patience, sincerity and determination shown despite all physical barriers set an example for everyone. Participants and officials closed with these words of thanks: "You have not only taught the Braille Quran; you have also given our students hope, courage and self-confidence. The knowledge, experience and service you brought from Türkiye to Bangsamoro have further strengthened the bonds of brotherhood between our two communities."