Would You Care to Spread Some Divine App-iness?
German entrepreneur S. Matthias Mende has come up with an app called ‘The Imam App’, which he touts as the “best Islamic app ever made”, with its healthy mix of appealing visuals, handy information and, of course, everything you need to know and do with regard to prayers.
And the inspiration to create this app can’t be simpler, he says. “Basically, I felt it was a bit complicated to pray and remember everything, being a native German speaker,” Mende — who chose the Muslim name ‘Sheikh’ after his conversion in 2008 — said. “I thought many people have the same ... (problem) ... on how to pray alone correctly, but are shy to speak and ask.
“With this app, (all they have to do is) press the start button and pray instantly and correctly.”
The Imam App — which, at the moment, is available only on Apple’s app store — features simple-to-navigate functions that will make praying for Muslims very easy. It has a countdown to the next prayer, a “very accurate” Qibla compass, a list of upcoming Islamic events, and more. Most interestingly, on the prayer page, there is an animation showing the proper body position relevant to the prayer itself.
“Much like karaoke-style,” the soft-spoken Mende quips. “So it’s very easy to understand and memorise.”
The next level
“I am trying hard to get funding to finalize this app ... to take it to the next level,” says Mende, who is also chief executive officer and founder of Memmos Enterprises, one of the UAE’s most diversified organizations offering many targeted and integral solutions for companies’ needs.
Mende isn’t a fan of paid-for apps. “I don’t appreciate charging money for something that should be free to help and teach.”
The “next level” Mende is referring to is widening the app’s reach by developing an Android version of it, and enhancing its features such as adding 15-20 different languages, an extra feature for the Qiblah, a smart marketing campaign and two more “amazing features”, among many others.
“I could imagine some extra features but they need to be financed. I can’t be the only person doing that; I am kind of sad that nobody is interested to donate money to bring this app to the next level. I’ve been trying to find support since August 2013 and failed ... people like the app a lot, but are not interested to support it.”
Source: khaleejtimes
