Valerie Shirley interprets worship services and more for deaf Muslims

If you walk into Masjid An-Nur in North Minneapolis for a Friday prayer service, you might see Valerie Shirley at work. She’s not the imam, but for some of the worshippers in the room, she’s the one delivering the lecture.

Shirley has been interpreting mosque services for deaf Muslims for almost a decade. She’s a teacher by trade, but she’s also the founder and executive director of the Minnesota Deaf Muslim Community, or MDMC, a nonprofit that provides interpretation services to people of color who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Shirley talked to host Cathy Wurzer about that work. Ben Hovland of Sahan Journal also joined the conversation — he recently produced a video following Valerie as she interpreted a Muslim worship service.

When Shirley’s son, Musab Drake, was young, he contracted meningitis and became profoundly deaf as a result. Shirley quickly signed up for American Sign Language classes at the University of Minnesota.

Shirley is Muslim, and as she met more Muslims who were deaf and hard of hearing, she realized there was a need for sign language interpretation in the Muslim community. That’s why she began interpreting services — and more.

MDMC, Shirley’s nonprofit, not only provides sign language interpreting services at events but also helps people who are deaf and hard of hearing with other literacy support, such as filling out vital paperwork. The organization is especially focused on serving people of color.

Shirley is most thankful that she’s been able to help her son find a community of other people who are deaf and hard of hearing through her work.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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