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“My job as a software consultant takes me to different parts of the world, and it is sometimes difficult to keep track of prayer timings,” he admits. So now he’s got hold of technology to bail him out and keep him on track with his religious obligations. And having an iPhone helps. He’s downloaded the iPray Lite app on his phone and it allows him to get accurate prayer timings in any city that he finds himself in. The richly featured and fully interactive iQuran, which offers the holy book in Arabic and its various translations is another popular app with the believers.

Developed by Guided Ways Technologies, for both the iPhone and iPod, the app also enables him to configure Qibla directions. “It’s amazing because in some parts of the world, unlike the UAE, they don’t really use external loudspeakers to reach out to the faithful, and it was a real dilemma earlier. Now it’s not a hassle anymore.”

Nokia too has a bunch of brand new free Ramadan apps for the devout this year. Along with the Holy Quran that allows users to read, search, bookmark and listen to Quranic recitations, the Boyoot Allah app helps Muslims locate mosques in different cities (most GCC countries are mapped) using Ovi free maps around the world.

The Mozzaker app allows users to search, listen, translate, download and share a large collection of Azkar and selected supplications. For Fatima Absullah, however, her favourite app is the Arabica, which helps non-Arabic speaking Muslims like her to read and understand the Holy Quran, Hadeeth, Dua in Arabic using services of online teachers through her mobile. “It’s just the sort of thing I needed to give me a better understanding of my religion.”

God, as they say, moves in mysterious ways.

anshuman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE