“My Hands Are My Eyes”: Two Blind Turkish Sisters Complete 15 Readings of the Holy Quran in Braille

“My Hands Are My Eyes”: Two Blind Turkish Sisters Complete 15 Readings of the Holy Quran in Braille
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Two blind sisters in southern Turkey have completed reading the Holy Quran a total of 15 times using the Braille system, following several years of learning and perseverance. Their achievement highlights the importance of accessible religious education in enabling people with visual impairments to read the Holy Quran independently.

According to Anadolu Agency, 55-year-old Fatma Çetin has completed the Quran seven times, while her elder sister, 57-year-old Türkan Algın, has read it in full eight times. The two sisters continue to attend Quran lessons twice a week in the southern province of Adana.

Both sisters were born blind and initially tried to learn the Quran through online audio lessons. In 2021, they enrolled in a Braille literacy course organized by the Adana Mufti’s Office at the Abdulbaki and Fatma Sevrikli Girls’ Quran Memorization Institute in the Çukurova district.

During the course, they learned the Arabic Braille alphabet, which enables readers to identify letters and words by feeling raised dots with their fingertips. After approximately a year of training, they were able to read the Holy Quran using this method.

Türkan Algın said that her father’s death had partly motivated her to learn to read the Quran. Although she initially faced difficulties, she gradually overcame them with the support of her teacher, Şule Taş.

“I cannot see, but I read the Quran. I read with my hands; they are my eyes,” Algın said, expressing her happiness at being able to recite the verses independently.

Her sister, Fatma Çetin, described reading the Quran as a source of spiritual joy and devotion, saying that the more she reads, the stronger her desire to continue becomes.

Their teacher, Şule Taş, praised the sisters’ commitment to attending lessons despite difficult weather conditions, describing their dedication and determination as an encouraging example for other students.

The sisters’ achievement underscores the importance of expanding Quran education programs based on Braille, giving people with visual impairments greater independence in religious learning and wider opportunities to participate in educational and spiritual activities.