This is for the first time we can join the prayer here, in the front line
Jakarta (ANTARA) - As many as 600 persons with disabilities joined the Eid al-Adha prayers at Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta on Sunday, at the invitation of the mosque's management that has prepared special lines and staffs to help them with sign language.

"This is for the first time we can join the prayers here, in the front line," coordinator of the persons with disabilities Bahrul Fuad said here on Sunday.

Fuad has expressed appreciation to all parties who have allowed and facilitate them to join the prayers and provide access services for the persons with disabilities.

The iconic Istiqlal Grand Mosque has provided a special gate "Ar-Rahman", special place for wudhu (ablution), a slope for wheelchair, and special parking lots.

"Management of the mosque has deployed youngsters to help them to perform the prayers comfortably," he said, adding that the preaching was also translated into sign language.

Fuad expressed hope that persons with disabilities could in future perform the prayers in Istiqlal Mosque, saying that the largest mosque in Southeast Asia has now been developed into a disabled-friendly mosque.

"We hope that mosques in Indonesia, and also all worship houses in the country, could facilitate our brothers and sisters with disabilities," he remarked.

A spokesman of Istiqlal Grand Mosque Abu Hurairah said the mosque's management, the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Presidential Staff has started the campaign of disabled-friendly mosque by inviting 1,000 disabled persons to perform the Eid al-Adha prayers.

Translator: Fauzi, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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