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Muhammad Anas Hafiy’s journey started with a simple question: “How do I say this in sign language?”
The 22-year-old didn’t realise then that this small moment of curiosity would open the door to a new world filled with friendships, responsibility, and a purpose he never expected to discover.
That question first came to Anas (@jusnenasss) when he noticed a group of seniors doing sign language during his first semester at Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan.
Wanting to understand the message behind it, he reached out to deaf students, typed messages on his phone, and asked how to express certain words with sign language.
The students taught Anas the basics, shared tips, as well as corrected and encouraged him, and encouraged him.
Slowly, the BIM (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia) alphabet became full sentences and conversations which turned into strong friendships that grounded him more than he expected.
Not everyone understood his commitment. Some questioned why he spent so much time learning sign language, while others didn’t see the point. But for Anas, that only strengthened his resolve.
As Anas became more immersed in the deaf community, people even started assuming he was deaf too, something he took as a sign of how naturally he had blended into their world.
The viral moment that revealed his purpose
One of Anas’ most widely circulated videos shows him signing confidently in a crowded hall.
But that video wasn’t about going viral; it also captured him fulfilling his duty as part of JPKK (Jawatankuasa Pelajar Kolej Kediaman), which includes a role specifically for sign language support.
On that day, the hall was packed with students attending an event filled with introductions, announcements and award presentations.
For most people, it was just another programme. For the deaf students in the room, Anas was the only way they could follow what was happening.
His involvement didn’t stop at events. Anas also began interpreting songs in sign language, a creative expression that resonated deeply online.
“Alhamdulillah, some followers told me they were inspired, and I even saw students creating their own sign-language song videos after mine,” he said, still surprised by how far that impact reached.
Bonding with deaf individuals
The more time Anas spent with the deaf community, the more he realised how much they had quietly shaped his life.
He bonded with deaf students and also heard about friends who were learning BIM alongside him like Anas Akmal, Ikemal and Aqim.
“We spent hours together learning new signs, teasing each other, participating in activities and building memories that were rare and hard to forget.
“But being this close also meant witnessing painful truths. During campus events with singing, games or rapid instructions, I often saw deaf students trying to keep up, their eyes darting around, and unsure of what they were missing.”
“It was heartbreaking seeing them not fully understanding or missing out on moments of fun,” he admitted.
As it is with any meaningful journey, Anas encountered moments of stereotyping and ignorance. Some assumed deaf individuals were less capable and others questioned his involvement entirely, with one asking why he would bother learning sign language.
“It felt ignorant, but it motivated me to show that sign language is valuable. Deaf people really appreciate it when we try. Even small efforts make a big difference.”
Sacrifices he never regretted making
While Anas missed out on outings with friends, juggled interpreting duties with assignments, and spent hours learning sign language, he doesn’t believe any time was wasted at all.
“Learning sign language wasn’t forced. It was my choice, and I believe the sacrifices were worth it. Through this journey, I learned patience, empathy, and what it means to show up for people who don’t always have someone advocating for them.”
I realised the deaf community deserves to feel appreciated. If we don’t support them, then who will?”
Out of all his achievements, the one Anas treasures most is knowing his content encouraged others to learn BIM.
Many followers messaged him and some even created their own sign language music videos, all because he took the first step.
“It feels rewarding to know my content encourages others to start learning. That means progress is being made one person at a time.
And to those who still believe learning sign language is “tak penting (not important enough),” Anas has a gentle but firm message:
“It helps us communicate, include, and support the deaf community. Even small efforts can make someone feel valued.”
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