KUALA LUMPUR: The government is drafting a dedicated module for children with autism, titled 'Fiqh Autisme', to ensure they have access to religious education and a more inclusive understanding of worship.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hassan, said the module's development is an important component of the Muslim Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Action Plan, currently being developed by the government.
"In the context of autism, we are exploring efforts to develop Fiqh Autism as an inclusive approach so that these special children can access knowledge and religious appreciation in line with their needs and abilities.
"At the same time, this effort aims to help the community understand the needs of this group in the context of performing worship, particularly involving fardhu ain (religious obligation) and fardhu kifayah (collective obligation)," he said to reporters after visiting and engaging with the residents of Yayasan Pendidikan Insani in Bandar Baru Selayang here on Friday (April 24).
Further, he said his team is now in the final stages of preparing the PWD-Friendly Guidelines for mosques and suraus.
According to him, the guidelines were developed in collaboration with the International Islamic University Malaysia, the Islamic Propagation Foundation, the Islamic Development Malaysia Department and the Mufti Department.
"So overall, the Prime Minister's Department of Religious Affairs is giving serious attention to the needs of our children," he said.
Previously, he also engaged with around 30 autistic students and held discussions with the management regarding various aspects of support, including strengthening endowments and capacity-building to enhance the group's skills and knowledge. – Bernama
