Bidets, Wudu Units, toilet rolls and ablution

6 min readMar 19, 2020

I love the diversity of our world and will go out of my way to experience and understand it. That is the main reason I often put myself in situations where I have to talk to people, outside of my “normal” social circles, such as when I travel on public transport. I had a really interesting conversation the other day, for instance, with the only other passenger, on my normally busy bus. It is rare, therefore for me to be stumped or find it difficult to get my point across but recently both these have occurred and somehow, they both involve shit.

All cultures and people have to go to the toilet and wash but it is really interesting how they see this in very different ways and sometimes look askance at the way the other does it. One has been highlighted by the pandemic Coronavirus and the other by the different types of washrooms people use.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus, COVID-19 and Wuhan in China are words and places that most of us had not thought of at the beginning of the year. In Britain our national obsessions seemed to be Brexit and now there is cartoon declaring “God I miss Brexit”.

The impact of the Coronavirus on our lives has been unprecedented and every government, society and individual has been coping with it as best we can. I have found it fascinating hearing from the scientists, particularly those with insights into human behaviour. I am very happy to see that government are listening to scientists and that the UK government is working with “The behavioural insights team. I did not know we had such a thing but now I want to work for them!

As I said above, it is unprecedented and people, everywhere, are contemplating or dealing with the impact on their lives. The thing that I am having the greatest of difficulty understanding is why the Coronavirus led to people stockpiling toilet rolls. They have been doing this in such large numbers that people have been sharing jokes that make toilet paper seem like the new currency!

Coronavirus or COVID-19 has affected the lives of millions but no one has said that its symptoms include frequent visits to the WC, lavatory or washroom. Maybe, I should be pleased it’s only toilet rolls: I saw one report indicating that, in the US, another more lethal item was being bought in numbers.

On another note, one of the toilets in our house has stopped working and we have ordered an all in one toilet and Bidet. It’s not quite as fabulous as a Japanese style toilet, but we hope it will be installed by the end of the week.

Plumbing, Wudu units etc.

I am going to assume that most of the people reading this know very little of the Muslim practice of Wudu. It is a ritual wash that is done particularly before any formal prayers. There are many great websites including the BBC which talk about it at length. I have just watched a wonderful cartoon clip of Upin and Ipin doing their wudu: two adorable characters in a Malaysian animated series,

The issue of concern, to me has been that I have spent a lot of time explaining to organisations why the Wudu units they install, for the use of Muslims, are inappropriate. They take up too much space, cost too much and most Muslims will have washed and ritually purified themselves whilst in the washroom. The main reason for this is that there is a step in the Wudu process that none of the websites refer to and Muslims only mention when you probe them. That is, we generally go to the toilet first so will complete our wudu in the washroom leaving the wudu unit largely, redundant. One reason I love Japanese, Turkish and now bidet toilets.

I have been getting increasingly animated about this because one of the many organisations I am attached to is making changes to a room. This represented, to me, an ideal opportunity to take out the unit, make better use of the space and hopefully have something, nearby that would prove more beneficial. However, it seems that despite my efforts this is staying. That is I have not been able make others understand the unit is a waste.

My only consolation is what I saw in “Creating a faith-friendly workplace for Muslims” which states “Washing facilities: Before praying Muslims will perform Ablution which includes the washing of hands, arms and feet. For some a hand basin is adequate for performing the Ablution. Others may use a small plastic basin and jug. In using the toilet Muslim staff may prefer to clean themselves with clean running water. A small jug, which can be kept in a cubicle, is sufficient for this.” It seems that, at least some organisations have a better understanding and hopefully leading to more. Hopefully I will get better at understanding and explaining the needs of diverse communities.

I will end with the Loving kindness mediation because we all need it, especially at this time.

Loving Kindness

Sit quietly and comfortably. Breathe naturally. Keep focussing on your breathing for a while.

1. Putting your attention on the area in the middle of your chest and around your heart. Repeat to yourself gently and softly, feeling what these words mean: “Love, love, love, may my heart be filled with love…” As you say this bring up an image of something that you feel caring and loving towards.

Experience the feeling of warmth and love through your whole body: caring, healing, soothing. Let it wash over you and through you, gently repeating to yourself:

May I be well, healthy and strong:

May I be happy. May I abide in peace

May I be forgiven and forgiving

May I feel safe and secure

May I feel loved and cared for.

Bring into your mind someone who is important to you, someone you like and respect. Engulf them with this warmth and caring, See them happy and smiling;

May you be well, healthy and strong: