I was still a little boy when we moved to the Malindi district in Stonetown. The mosque was just a stone’s throw from our house. So every day we heard the call to prayer – known as MWADHINI – five times.

Over 95 per cent of the population in Zanzibar are Muslims. Prayer is an important part of people’s lives, and we too were brought up in the Muslim faith by our parents.

Visits to the mosque made a deep impression on me as a young boy and shaped who I am. 

So, when I was about seven years old, it occurred to me that I could surely call the people in my neighbourhood to prayer too. 

No sooner said than done!

I spoke to the muezzin at our mosque and explained my wish to him. I was convinced that, with my strong voice, I would do the job well. After receiving precise instructions, the time soon came and I was allowed to take on this responsible role of the MWADHINI for the very first time. 

My goodness, was I nervous. 

I certainly didn’t want to make a mistake under any circumstances. And what can I say – it worked out. Without stammering, without making a mistake, I called on people to come to the mosque for prayer for the very first time.

My parents, my siblings and all our neighbours in Malindi could hear my call to prayer. I was so incredibly proud of it. My mother, in particular, was almost bursting with pride and love when I came home: “We heard your voice, my little son! That was brilliant and we congratulate you.”