The sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Ugandan village. Inside a simple, open-air structure, the air is alive with focused energy. This isn’t just a gathering; it’s a classroom where the most profound lessons of life are being shared. The teachers are the dedicated iERA Uganda duats, their students a group of men and women, the newest threads in the vibrant tapestry of Islam.
For these new Muslims, the journey has just begun, and the duats understand the importance of building a strong foundation. They know that Salah, the daily prayers, is the pillar of this new faith. So, every day, the duats reserve a special time during the New Muslim support classes to demonstrate to them how to perform salah.
The lesson begins with wudhu, the act of ritual ablution. The duats patiently guide the new Muslims, demonstrating each step—the washing of hands, the rinsing of the mouth and nose, the gentle wiping of the face and arms. There is no rush, only a profound reverence for the process. Then comes the demonstration of Salah itself. The duats show the proper postures—the bowing, the prostration, the standing—each movement a physical expression of surrender and devotion.
What makes these classes truly special is the unique teaching method that has emerged. The duats encourage their students to demonstrate what they’ve learned to the others. This hands-on approach has ignited a beautiful competition among the new Muslims, a shared commitment to perfect their worship. The desire to show their peers how to perform wudu and Salah has become a powerful motivator, pushing them to learn with a passion that radiates throughout the community.
As the month draws to a close, the duats’ hearts are filled with contentment. They see the fruits of their labor in the confident movements and heartfelt recitations of their students. They know that many of the new Muslims will have learned Salah and wudu, not just as rituals, but as a living part of their daily lives. This ripple effect of knowledge and faith is already transforming communities, one prayer, one student at a time. Through the dedication of the iERA Uganda duats, a wellspring of faith is flowing, bringing more and more people back to Allah
