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Purpose This study aims to introduce the design and the design process for an innovative sanitary fixture to be used in public facilities for the purpose of ablution. This purpose-made fixture is needed to support the hygienic, safe and comfortable performance of this essential function in public facilities in many parts of the world. The study also clarifies the need for this function and critically reviews current designs to address it. Design/methodology/approach The study started by critically reviewing the standard built-in models for ablution. It also identified and analyzed new approaches to designing standalone ablution fixtures. The study then specified the characteristics of a better ablution fixture and involved drafting a design based on these characteristics, making a wooden prototype to test the design and receiving users’ feedback. The design was adjusted and tested again for more feedback. Finally, the study resulted in the development of a final design. It used digital fabrication to create the design prototype with improved aesthetics, tested it again and received user feedback. Findings A survey of users showed that they found the innovative fixture more comfortable and safer than the commonly used built-in models. The main concern was the potential for water to splash on clothes from the high faucet. Originality/value In addition to showing an innovative design for a purpose-made sanitary fixture for ablution, the study makes the reader aware of the various challenges of providing a hygienic, safe and comfortable facility for users to perform this function. This is very useful for the many designers and facility managers who deal with the issue.

Water was viewed as the source of everlasting life and divine resurrection throughout the Byzantine period, as a sign of sanctification and purification from sins, according to sacred texts. The Christian faith’s sanctification of water has resulted in specific ceremonial requirements in terms of liturgical and therapeutic applications. These requirements were met in the Early Christian Era by creating/constructing water structures and equipment. The liturgical fountains are one of thesestructures, where the congregation and clergy, particularly in the atriums of the churches, bathed their hands and feet in the courtyard before entering the naos. Archaeological surveys in recent years have revealed an escalating number of EarlyByzantine Period churches, adding to our prior knowledge. Nonetheless, many concerns remain unanswered regarding the purpose, architectural aspects, and nomenclature of church fountains. As a result, in this article, the subject of naming the fountains of the Early Byzantine Era is examined by employing terms from the period’s chronicles, and the structural characteristics of the fountains used for ablution are indicated. Moreover, the fountain in the atrium of the Perge South Basilica is introduced with its architectural features, and it is examined comprehensively by utilizing examples of fountains found in churches within and beyond Anatolia, which could be compared to the fountain in question. The article concludes with explanations as to why religious fountains are primarily found in churches in episcopal territories.

Mosque has always been the most prestigious and important building for the Muslims.However, no standards or guidelines are available in Pakistan for the design and details of Mosque, therefore, mosques are being designed and built as per the existing examples or personal wisdom of the architects, financers, decision makers, and individuals or groups responsible for its execution. It has been generally observed that there are many flaws found everywhere in terms of plot orientation, placement of different functions of mosque, planning layout , interior spaces , opening of doors/windows, design of ablution area, adequate no. of toilets and shoe storage racks etc. The major problem that worshipers face are related to insufficient width of row (saff) and clearance from walls to perform physical actions of prayer and to carryout ablution in comfortable manner. The aim of this research is to set- out the planning and design guidelines and to develop standards for a religiously and socially acceptable, efficient and comfortable design for all features of a mosque. The methodology includes study of religious literature and survey of existing mosques selected in different localities of Lahore to obtain standards being practiced and comments of end users. Methodology also included physical demonstration to experiment the actual space needed during performance of prayer by worshippers. The paper suggests solutions to some of the issues related to this topic. The developed guidelines/standards would be a source of information for students, practicing architects and academicians. Mosques constructed on the basis of these standards will provide better utilization of space and more comfortable environment to the end users

Water is used for various religious purposes, including ablution for billions of Muslims around the world. Water savings in ablution can make a positive contribution towards achieving the water-related sustainable development goals (SDGs). A survey-based study was conducted at St Mary’s Mosque in Sydney, Australia, to understand the water usage during ablution and how water can be saved by Muslims in mosques. It has been found that the participants of the survey use 4 to 8 L of water to perform one ablution. About 82% of the participants are careful about saving water in ablution. It has also been found that about 70% of the participants believe that wastage of water during ablution is ‘haram’ (unlawful). Some 95% of the participants believe that religious motivation can play a significant role in saving water during ablution, and Imams can make a notable positive difference by encouraging their followers to save water during ablution. It has also been found that 64% of the participants are willing to use harvested rainwater for ablution. The findings of this study will help Muslims in Australia and around the globe to save water and contribute to the circular economy, as saving potable water (by reducing water use during ablution and using harvested rainwater at the source of water collection) saves energy and encourages responsible consumption.

As water scarcity and environmental sustainability become increasingly critical global concerns, there is a growing need to identify alternative water resources. This study investigates public acceptance of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) systems in Brunei Darussalam for non-potable uses and ablution purposes. Using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework, the research evaluates key factors influencing public perceptions, including Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Attitude Towards Use (ATU), Intentions to Use (ITU), and external factors such as Perceived Cost (PC), Subjective Knowledge (SK), and Technical Requirements (TR). Survey data were analyzed through regression techniques to assess these relationships. The results validate the TAM framework for understanding acceptance of RWH systems and highlight strong positive relationships between PEU, PU, and ATU, with ATU emerging as the strongest predictor of behavioral intentions (ITU). External factors like PC and TR were identified as barriers to adoption, emphasizing the need for financial incentives and technical support. Additionally, subjective knowledge was found to positively influence PU and ITU, underscoring the importance of public awareness campaigns. While concerns about the safety and quality of recycled rainwater were present, they were not significant deterrents to acceptance. The findings also reveal broad support for initiatives such as education, technical guidance, and maintenance services to enhance adoption. Muslim respondents expressed positive attitudes toward using rainwater for ablution, aligning with religious principles of water conservation. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and relevant agencies to promote RWH systems as a sustainable water management solution, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action).

Purpose This study critically examines the safety aspects of ablution spaces in United Arab Emirates (UAE) mosques, emphasising the evaluation of smooth ceramic tile floorings prone to water accumulation. As an integral practice in Islamic worship, ablution spaces cater to a diverse demographic, making their safety a paramount concern. This study aims to meticulously assess slip-resistance properties and surface characteristics to provide practical recommendations for enhanced safety measures. Design/methodology/approach The investigation involves in situ measurements of traction properties and an extensive analysis of surface features in thirty mosques across the UAE. This comprehensive approach allows for identifying the unique challenges posed by ceramic tile floorings in ablution spaces. The study uses a portable tribometer for dynamic friction coefficient measurements, ensuring accurate slip-resistance evaluations. Surface texture analysis uses a portable profilometer to quantify roughness parameters. Findings The study’s findings significantly advance the comprehension of safety considerations in ablution spaces. Through empirical evidence and evidence-based insights, the research identifies immediate safety concerns and provides practical recommendations to create secure and inclusive environments within mosques. The emphasis lies on safeguarding the well-being of worshippers and contributing to the broader goal of safety in religious spaces. Originality/value The original contribution of this study lies in its dual focus on immediate safety concerns and the deeper understanding of unique safety challenges within ablution spaces. By offering evidence-based insights and practical recommendations, the research strives to make meaningful contributions to creating secure and inclusive environments within mosques.

Shared sanitation facilities have been hailed as an innovative approach to solve the challenge with sanitation access. However, these facilities may act as hotspots for disease transmission due to unhygienic conditions. In this study we used quantitative (based on Escherichia coli contamination) techniques to assess the health risks associated with the use of community ablution blocks (CABs). The most contaminated surfaces were the cistern handle (5.7 Log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) and internal pull latch (5.8 Log 10 cfu/cm 2 ). Based on the E. coli contamination, at least two people out of 100 CAB users might be potentially infected when they touch “hot” surfaces. These risks were modelled assuming transfer of potentially pathogenic E. coli from these surfaces to the mouth. The incorporation of risk-reduction measures, such as wiping of these surfaces or washing of hands, could potentially result in significant reduction of infection risks. The most significant risk-reduction intervention was determined to be wiping of the contact surfaces, especially twice prior to contact. A combination of risk-reduction interventions could further reduce the risks. This study shows that contamination of contact surfaces within shared CABs could lead to increased risks of infections, requiring measures aimed at reducing the associated risks. The risk assessment framework used in this study could therefore be applied in similar settings to estimate associated health risks with the use of such facilities.

This paper presents Water-Efficient Aerators (WEAs) as a practical, scalable, and cost-effective solution for reducing freshwater consumption during ablution. These aerators, available globally (US, EU, Australia), feature low flow rates (1.0–1.5 GPM) and achieve high water efficiency (30–55%) at an affordable cost ($6–12 USD). Endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program, the proposed WEAs have undergone certified laboratory testing to ensure performance under varying pressure conditions and offer a retrofit-friendly, maintenance-free solution compatible with most standard faucets. Rather than relying on experimental trials, this study focuses on broad implementation using a mathematical model specifically developed for ablution, based on empirical benchmarks such as an average ablution duration of 1.04 min from prior field studies. To ensure credibility and practical relevance, the reliability of mathematical model is supported through scenario-based validation with prior experimental studies for water consumption using range of tap types and time utilized for ablution. The model assumes full compliance with daily prayer requirements to estimate maximum potential savings, while remaining adaptable to user-specific compliance levels and practices. Findings demonstrate that combining WEAs with water-saving behaviors particularly the practice of turning off the tap during ablution can substantially enhance conservation outcomes, reducing per-person water use from 2.29 to 0.54 gallons (8.66 to 2 L), enabling up to 76% reduction in freshwater consumption. This aligns closely with the sustainable water use practiced by Prophet Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ), who performed ablution with approximately 775 ml (0.2 gallons), serving as an exemplary benchmark for efficient water use till to date. The proposed solution contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (6, 12, and 13), underlining the synergistic impact of both technological interventions and behavioral change in achieving water sustainability.

There is a lack of water resources and an extreme use of potable water in our Arab region. Ablution from taps was studied since it is a repeated daily activity that consumes more water. Five different tap types are investigated for water consumption fashions including traditional mixing tap and automatic tap. Analyzing 100 experimental observations revealed that 22.7–28.8 % of ablution water is used for washing of feet and the largest water waste occurs during washing of face portions. Moreover, 30–47 % amount of water consumed in ablution from taps is wasted which can be saved if tap releases water only at moments of need. The push-type tap is being spread recently especially in airports. If it is intended for use in ablution facilities, batch duration and volume must be tuned. When each batch is 0.25 L of water and lasts for 3 s, 3 L are sufficient for one complete ablution in average which means considerable saving. A cost-benefit model is proposed for using different tap types and an economic feasibility study is performed on a case study. This analysis can help us to design better ablution systems.