For the Finger and the Moon Project italian artist Liuba met the Imam of the Mosque in Milan who  explained her how to perform the Islamic Prayer. She was invited to the viale Padova Mosque in Milan to pray with Islamic women. Liuba was very rispectful and with the intention to perform the prayer in the proper way.

Before Salaat

1. Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean.
2. Perform wudu (ritual ablution) if needed.
3. Women are required to cover their hair.
4. Face the Qibla, the direction of Mecca.
5. Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
6. Recite Iqama (private call to prayer):

7. Express intent to perform Salaat (niyyat):
I intend to offer  _____ rakats of the ____ prayer, and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.
(For example: “I intend to offer the 4 rakats of the Isha prayer and face the Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.”)

Begin Salaat

1. Niyyat: Stand with respect and attention; put the world behind you.
Bring hands to ears, palms forward, thumbs behind earlobes and say          (The entire prayer must be recited in Arabic, but for your information we give the English translation next to the Arabic transliteration) :
2. Qiyam: Place right hand over left, men below navel, women at            chest level;
look at the ground in front of you and recite Opening Supplication (optional):

3. Fatiha: Recite aloud the Fatiha, the first surah of the Qur’an.

4. Ruk’u: Hands drop to sides; bend from waist, palms on knees,          back parallel to ground; look at feet.

5. Qauma: Rise from bending to standing, arms at sides.

6.Sudjood;Prostrate-hands on knees,   lower slowly to kneeling  position; touch forehead, nose and palms to ground (but not elbows); bend toes so tops of feet face the Qibla.

7. Qu’ud: Rise to sitting position, looking at lap. Men turn up heel of        right foot, right toes bent; women keep both feet, soles up, under body.

8. Sudjood: Prostrate again.

9. Qu’ud: Rise to sitting position;

10.To proceed to the second       and        fourth rakats:

Then recite the Fatiha, (if this is the second rakat of any time of prayer, recite another short portion of the Qur’an); continue the second or         fourth rakat with Ruku…. 
11. To complete every second rakat and the last rakat:
Remain seated and recite At-Tashahhud:¹

To proceed to the third rakat:
Recite the Fatiha and continue third rakat with Ruk’u…. 
At the end of any time of prayer (when all rakats have                      been completed):
Remain seated, recite At-Tashahhud, and then recite the Salawat:

To Complete the Prayer:  Look over right shoulder (toward the angel recording     your good deeds), then the left (toward the angel recording your wrongful deeds); say each time:

Say personal prayers with hands cupped and palms up at chest level.
Wipe face with palms.
If praying in a group, stand and greet each other individually,
saying: “May God receive our prayers.”
¹At-Tashahhud is a recreation of the conversation held between Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing upon him) during the night of the Heavenly Ascent (Miraj)