Global Deaf Muslim USA

WHO WE ARE

WE ARE GLOBAL DEAF MUSLIM USA

GDM is a non profit organization registered in United States of America. The organization was established in 2005 by Deaf Muslim graduates to address the rights and needs of Deaf Muslims across the global ummah.

For Deaf Muslims, accessing Islamic information has always been a challenge. Information about Islam is seldom available in sign language making it difficult to educate Deaf Muslims about Islam and for individuals to conduct their own research. The lack of accessible materials and the systematic exclusion of Deaf Muslims from Masjids and Islamic organizations was identified by GDM as a growing problem that they needed to address.

Your contributions to GDM help us uphold our mission making Islam accessible and inclusive of Deaf Muslims worldwide.

HISTORY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

2005

Global Deaf Muslim Community and Literacy Integration (GDMCLI) established in 2005 by a team of college students in Rochester, New York

Hosted the very first GDM event at the masjid in Rochester, New York

2006

Hosted Deaf Muslim Dinner in Rochester, New York

Hosted the first Eid party for Deaf Muslims In Rochester, New York

Attended MSA East Conference along with interpreting services in Orlando, FL

2007

Founders focused on finishing their degrees and studies before resuming the works for GDM

2008

Attended MSA East Conference in New Jersey with a group of Deaf Muslims

Hosted a party to celebrate Eid at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

Hosted a Silent Islam workshop at Los Angeles, CA

Attended ISNA convention in Columbus, Ohio

2009

Hosted The World of Deaf Muslims Conference at Georgetown University

Hosted Eid party at Gallaudet University

Attended ISNA convention in Washington D.C.

2010

Hosted Scholarship, Family and Deaf in Islam Conference at Georgetown University
Officially recognized by IRS as a 501c(3) organization
Formally changed its name from GDMCLI to GDM (Global Deaf Muslim)
Hosted 2010 ASL Fundraising Dinner in Herndon, VA
Attended ICNA Convention in Connecticut
Hosted Picnic for the Deaf in Washington D.C.
Attended ISNA convention in Chicago, Illinois
Visited Islamic Center of New York
Attended MAS Conference in Chicago, Illinois
Provided Islamic Classes in Northern Virginia for the Deaf

2012

Hosted Deaf Muslim Family Conference in Herndon, VA
Established National Headquarters Office in Falls Church, VA
Established First International Chapter, known as Muslim Deaf Development (MDD), in Tamale, Ghana
Hosted American Sign Language sessions at a local masjid in Virginia
Established California Chapter
Attended ISNA and RIS conventions
Attended United Against Poverty in Stanford CT
Released Al-Fatiha demonstration video
Hosted social events, Iftar dinners, and Eid party in Northern Virginia

2013

Welcomed Deaf Qatari President in Washington D.C.
Hosted a 10 days Umrah and provided a Sign Language interpreter
Teamed with Qatar The Qatari Center Of Social Cultural For The Deaf to host International Deaf Muslim Conference in Doha, Qatar
Hosted Iftar dinners and Eid party in Northern Virginia
Hosted the first Picnic for Deaf Muslims and Established Canada-Toronto chapter in Toronto, Canada
Hosted numerous MDD activities in Tamale, Ghana

2014

Attended ICNA and ISNA conventions

Translated 14 Surahs into ASL

Hosted Iftar Dinners and Eid party in Northern Virginia and Tamale, Ghana

2018

GDM USA launched and first Deaf Muslim Expo took place in Maryland.

2019

Understanding the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community event held in VA.

Deaf children Classes

Deaf Brothers Halaqa and Deaf sisters Halaqa established

Social events hosted including bowling and bonfire

Provision of interpretation for Seerah conference at DAH

2020

Islamic zoom sessions for deaf adults and deaf children.

Drive thru Iftar for Northern Virginia.

First Deaf Muslim women event held (Family and marriage counseling) in DC.

2021

Partnered with Marry Deaf Muslim

VISION

“A Muslim Ummah that recognizes the rights of Deaf Muslims and actively strives to ensure that it is accessible and inclusive of all Muslims”

MISSION

To advocate for the advancement and inclusion of Deaf Muslims in the Muslim Ummah and to raise awareness of Deaf Muslims issues within the broader Muslim community

OBJECTIVES

• To work with Muslim organizations to facilitate the provision of ASL Interpreters at Mosques and Islamic events
• To work with Islamic scholars, Parents of Deaf Muslims and the wider Muslim community to increase awareness of the rights of Deaf Muslims
• To create a global network of Deaf Muslims
• To facilitate dialogue between Deaf and Hearing Muslims
• To promote accessibility in Islamic learning for Deaf Muslims
• To advance the Islamic education of Deaf Muslims worldwide