Need of the Hour – Wheelchair Ramps in Masajids

By M. Sameer Yoonus

Assalamu Alaikum,

I would like to draw the attention of our respected and learned trustee board members of masajids in and around Colombo with regard to the urgent need for facilities and convenience for our disabled brothers to come to our masajids.

As a son of a disabled father who is permanently on a wheelchair, I cannot help but notice that none of our masajids have at least a wheelchair ramp in order for our physically handicapped brothers to enter the masajid.

Those of us who have had the opportunity to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah may have noticed that there are wheelchair ramps leading up to almost every entrance of the 2 holy mosques which makes it very convenient for elders and the disabled (like my father) to enter these masajids and offer their congregational salah without any difficulty.

I believe it is high time we realised the importance and the need for such minor changes in order for us to makes it easy for our physically handicapped brothers to come to the masajids and earn the reward of offering congregations salah. One may argue that we don’t see too many devotees in wheelchairs in masajids around Colombo. That is probably because these brothers fear embarrassment due to their difficulty.

Ideally, we need a small ramp alongside the two or three steps that lead in to the masajid as a start. Toilets for the disabled is a much more farfetched idea.

However, I do have faith in our community leaders and masajid trustee board members that they will realise this need and immediately work towards implementing it InshAllah.

I request you all to forward this mail to all Masajid Trustee Board Members you may personally know or at least explain to them this all important need.

Many Thanks & Warm Regards,

M. Sameer Yoonus

If you like this post then please Sign-up by Email and get updates on new articles sent directly to your email inbox!