Wudu with a difference

DUBAI If people can splurge on designer bathrooms, then how about a gear that promises to make ablution or ‘Wudu’ — ritual washing before prayers — a breeze, even for the elderly?

At Dh2,000 ‘Wudurite’ may be a rather modest contraption compared to, say, a Kohler’s Archeo Copper Bathtub which will set you back by $54,925 (Dh201,739), but its makers in Dubai said the fibre-glass contraption works on a different level.

Manufactured in Al Quoz, Wudurite promises to make ablution easier with the easy-to-install basin which is not only hygienic but is also accessible enough for the handicapped to use.

It’s perfect for homes when there are elderly people, as well as villas and mosques as it’s hygienic and comfortable, said James Day, managing director of Smashing Services LLC, who is in charge of manufacturing. Day said they are working to secure their intellectual property rights over the product, but have started offering Wudurite this Ramadan.

In Islam, ablution involves washing of hands, mouth, nostrils, face, ears, inner ears, arms, wiping the head with wet hand and the feet before offering prayers.

Wudurite stands ahead of other wudu gear in simplicity and ease of installation. Its makers said the price is competitive with traditional ablution basins or washing areas made of marble.

Wudurite’s design is rather commonsensical — it looks like a cross between a chair and a lavatory. The tap is mounted on top and can be fitted with motion-activated or any water-saving device.

As such, a person can perform the ritual washing sitting down and many basins can be installed — or removed — fairly quickly.

Day said that due to the ease of access, Wudurite enhances ablution and ensures faster “traffic” flow at peak times and reduces water and energy consumption. Plumbing can be designed to promote reuse and recycling of grey water from the Wudurite, the company said on its website.

Wudurite’s nearest competitor is a Malaysian-made automatic wudu-washer, which is equipped with sensors that also promise to help Muslims make their pre-prayer ablution rite with the least water usage. Launched in 2010 the high-tech gear was priced between $2,000 and $3,000 and comes with a computerised controller that activates diffuser sensors or audio prompts to dispense water automatically.

Wudurite has trained technicians that can install them at no time, he said. Day said they are also running a Ramadan promotion where people can donate Wudu washers to an institution of their liking for half the unit price — Dh1,000.