Deaf in Algeria

Introduction / History

In many situations, Deaf people are viewed as disability groups, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as distinct people groups. They have their own unique languages, sign languages. Many Deaf people value their language and culture so much that if given the chance to become hearing, they would refuse.

The Deaf face challenges in each country. Algeria, a Sunni Muslim country in North Africa, has its own form of sign language. In 1972, French Roman Catholics established a school for the Deaf in Algiers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their families and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school.

While many Deaf people have some degree of bilingualism, for most of them, it is impossible to fully learn a spoken language that they cannot hear. It is becoming more common around the world for Deaf people to learn more than one sign language.

Oppression by the hearing community is also commonplace; decisions are made for the Deaf without Deaf input. Education may be available only in the spoken language without interpreting. All of these common experiences serve to unite Deaf people across cultural and political lines.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Deaf in Algeria are familiar with Sunni Muslim rituals and practices, but it probably doesn t change their hearts. Spiritual truths usually get lost when the Deaf aren t communicated with in ways they can understand.

What Are Their Needs?

Because of lack of access to the spoken language, many Deaf people have a difficult time participating in activities. Just like spoken languages, sign languages are not universal and vary widely from country to country and often even within a country. For Deaf people to have full access to scripture, they need both Bible translation in their heart language and services in sign language.

For those reasons, the Bible is out of reach for a high percentage of Deaf people, not only in Algeria, but worldwide. Limited access to education makes learning a spoken language well enough to read scripture exceedingly difficult, and only a small percentage of Deaf people have access to scripture in sign language.

The global Deaf community is very much in need of Missionaries, but the best people to reach a Deaf person is another Deaf person. Providing training for Deaf leaders and Deaf missionaries is crucial.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to take the gospel to the Deaf in Algeria, no matter how high the cost.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the Deaf in Algeria, drawing them to the only savior.
Pray that soon Deaf people in Algeria will disciple other Deaf people.

Text Source:   Joshua Project