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This paper discusses scenarios that occur in the delivery of the National Education Program, focusing the debate on the Special Education teacher professionalism especially teachers of Islamic Studies (IET). The objective of this study is to propose solutions to issues and challenges of the teaching profession by presenting a model of Special Education teacher as Murabbi. The term Murabbi is selected in this model as opposed to Mursyid, Mu'allim, Muaddib, and Mudarris, because Murabbi encompasses the concept of love which is very close to special children as applied in this element. The findings of this study have resulted a model teacher as Murabbi particularly in the context of special education. There are eight characteristics of effective teachers as Murabbi contribute towards upholding the special education system of the country.

People with disabilities have the same right to access education and, therefore, the space and opportunity to study the Quran as other groups. However, there are some issues regarding the teaching of the Quran to students with special learning needs, such as from the aspects of the level of readiness of teachers, the mastery of Islamic Education among teachers who teach Special Education, and the use of teaching aids to teach the Quran. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the challenges, the need to develop a model of teaching and learning the Quran, elements to be included in the development of Quranic teaching, and a learning model for children with learning disabilities. A qualitative methodology was adopted using a case study design. The sample consisted of eight informants who volunteered to be involved in this research. The results show that there are seven main challenges in the teaching and learning of children with learning disabilities, i.e., a lack of stimulus materials, a lack of knowledge, limited time, uncontrolled behavior, traditional teaching, disabilities, and a lack of parental commitment. Thereafter, three themes arose in terms of identifying why it is necessary to develop Quran teaching and learning models for children with learning disabilities, such as the lack of an up-to-date model and the right to education. In addition, there were four themes concerning the elements that need to be included in the development of teaching and learning models for the Quran for children with learning disabilities, i.e., digital teaching aids, visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning styles, activities graded by the level of ability, and sensory support. It is hoped that this study will provide guidance to teachers to further strengthen the teaching profession pertaining to educating children with learning disabilities.

The sign language is the main language used in the teaching and learning approach (TnL) of solat (prayer) for deaf people. However, there have been sign language confusions in terms of form and the true meaning of the term. This is because the signs are developed based on the custom and understanding of the deaf. Hence, this study evaluates new sign language developed to ensure the TnL process of solat (prayer) for the deaf can be carried out more effectively. This study utilises Cohen Kappa for analysis of the evaluation of five experts from the field of religion and six from the field of sign language. In addition, a qualitative approach through group interviews is also conducted to enrich the findings. Based on the findings of the study, this evaluation has achieved the Cohen Kappa Coefficient Index at 0.87 level, which is at an excellent scale level for the whole new sign language developed. In terms of implication, this evaluation can provide a sign language parallel to the religious meaning and understanding of the deaf in Malaysia in TnL of solat. Keywords: Evaluation; Sign language; Teaching and learning; Prayers; Deaf Abstrak Bahasa isyarat merupakan bahasa utama yang digunakan dalam pendekatan pengajaran dan pembelajaran (PdP) solat bagi orang pekak. Walaubagaimanapun, terdapat bahasa isyarat yang mempunyai kekeliruan dari segi bentuk dan makna sebenar istilah tersebut kerana dibangunkan berdasarkan cara hidup dan kefahaman orang pekak. Justeru, kajian ini menilai bahasa isyarat baharu yang dibangunkan untuk memastikan proses (PdP) solat bagi orang pekak dapat dijalankan dengan lebih berkesan. Kajian ini mengunakan Cohen Kappa untuk analisis penilaian kesepakatan lima orang pakar daripada bidang agama dan enam orang daripada bidang bahasa isyarat. Selain daripada itu, pendekatan kualitatif melalui temu bual berkumpulan juga turut dijalankan bagi memperkayakan dapatan kajian. Berdasarkan dapatan kajian, penilaian ini telah mencapai Indeks pekali Cohen Kappa pada tahap 0.87, iaitu pada tahap skala sangat baik bagi keseluruhan bahasa isyarat baharu yang dibangunkan. Implikasinya, penilaian ini dapat menyediakan bahasa isyarat yang selari dengan makna agama dan kefahaman orang pekak di Malaysia dalam (PdP) solat.