As a convert to Islam myself, I know that it can take some time to achieve this goal, especially if there is no one around to help. The purpose of this article, then, is to offer some suggestions on how to learn the prayer and to say it in Arabic. While it is always helpful to have another Muslim help you with this, we are fortunate that we also have many programs and tutorials available on-line to help us practice while we are alone.
1. Perhaps the first thing to realize is that learning to say the prayers in Arabic is not the same as learning to speak Arabic for the purpose of conversation. So do not feel overwhelmed by the idea of learning Arabic in order to pray. You just need to understand and memorize the very basic elements of the prayer in order to begin. Every prayer requires that you recite Surat al-Fatiha, the Opening Chapter of the Holy Qur'an. So try to listen to it frequently: the more you listen to it, the more it will stick in your mind. Perhaps you can buy a tape or listen to it on-line. Click here for a site that has Surat al-Fatiha recited slowly by two different reciters.
