For years, communication between mother and daughter is confined to gestures and facial expressions. A nod and a smile means a yes and a shake of the head accompanied by a frown is a sign of disapproval. But that, says Madam Tafiah Jaafar is not sufficient to communicate with her teenaged daughter, Norhayati Yahya. The 43-year- old housewife wants a more meaningful way of communicating with her 17-year-old daughter. And this is about to happen very soon. Madam Tafiah who lives in Bukit Batok, is one of the participants at Masjid Ar-Raudhah sign language course for parents with hearing-impaired children. "This is something I've been looking forward to. I know there are classes held by the deaf association but they are inconvenient. Not only is distance an obstacle, but language too since all these courses are held in English," says Madam Tafiah who is Malay educated. Her daughter, Norhayati is currently studying at Boon Lay Secondary School. She recalls how difficult it is trying to make her daughter understand what she is trying to say. Speaking in Malay, Madam Tafiah says, "But being a mother, you somehow know what she's trying to tell me. It is all a guessing game. But now, I can look forward to communicating with her."

The 10-week course is jointly organised by Muis and Masjid Ar-Raudhah. Another mosque offering a similar course is Masjid Alkaff Kg Melayu. Targetted at parents with hearing-impaired children, the course is also open to members of the public who want to learn the sign language. It is held in response to feedback from parents saying they have difficulties communicating with their hearing-impaired children. "This is not the first time that such a course was organised," says Mr Zalman Putra, Executive Officer at the Office of Mufti. "In the past, the course was targeted at asatizah or those dealing with hearing-impaired children. But for the first time, we are opening it up to parents with such children." The on-going course which will end in early November is conducted in Malay by sign language practitioners who participated in an earlier course organised by Muis and Masjid Alkaff Kg Melayu. "Meanwhile the course at Masjid Alkaff Kg Melayu has attracted 21 participants, most of whom are parents with hearing impaired children," says Ustaz Jazair Jummat. Besides Muis, the mosque too has been getting enquiries from parents with hearing-impaired children on such courses. According to Mr Zalman, the sign language course is an initial step towards offering a holistic approach insofar as the needs of the disabled are concerned. To this end, Muis is working closely with Masjid Radin Mas which currently has a special religious programme for the disabled.