WITH knowledge potentially available at the fingertips of anyone in this smart phone era, Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor is keen to help Muslims live a holistic lifestyle through a new application called The Noor.
The 32-year-old actress, TV host and successful entrepreneur launched the app in January, which was developed under her company Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd.
Since its release, The Noor (which means light in Arabic) has already provided close to five million users with an easy way to keep track of prayer times and listen to verses from the Quran anytime, anywhere.
The app features a qiblah finder with real-time detection, which is linked to a location finder for users to discover the closest mosque or surau to perform prayers.
It also provides directions to chosen locations via Google Maps and Waze.
The comprehensive and vibrant Quran player includes voice translations into five languages, namely English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil and Bahasa Indonesia.
"The Noor is set to be a comprehensive Muslim lifestyle app that will encompass every aspect of the spiritual and everyday life.
"Its current core application is providing users with prayer time schedules, a qiblah finder and an Al-Quran player with voice over translations.
"In the future, more languages will be included for the voice over translations for the benefit of all Muslims," says Neelofa.
The founder of various business ventures, including Naelofar Hijab, adds there are many value-added features and plans in store for the new app.
SYARIAH-COMPLIANT TRAVELS
The latest is the introduction of a syariah-compliant travel and holiday experience via a collaboration with Tabung Haji Travel & Services Sdn Bhd (THTS).
In a recent ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Noor Luminous and THTS at TH Hotel Kelana Jaya in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, it was revealed that umrah and haj packages would be provided via the app for the convenience of users in the near future.
The collaboration, which connects businesses and contributes to the development of the global halal tourism industry, will enable those using The Noor app to conduct everything, from the early stage of registration, right up to the completion of the Islamic pilgrimage.
The booking of various travel and Islamic tourism packages via The Noor will be certified and endorsed by THTS.
All payments will be validated and official receipts issued as soon as the transactions are completed to ensure a smooth experience.
"THTS has been a trusted brand for Muslims for many years and The Noor is very proud to partner with such an established travel company.
"The collaboration will enhance our Islamic-centric lifestyle app and be a huge benefit to our users by providing syariah-compliant travel and travel-related services," says Neelofa.
She says other features and services will be added to the umrah and haj packages for the convenience of The Noor users.
They include a mutawif tracker, a detailed travel itinerary and an umrah course, where users can get a refresher's guide to rituals, just like how it is done in a physical course.
Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd co-founder and chief technology officer Mohd Izzairi Yamin says these new features and more will eventually be added to the app sometime next month or in January.
"These services will help save time and bring peace of mind to those who want to be assured that their travels overseas are in accordance to the Muslim way and syariah-compliant.
"This collaboration with THTS will certainly make it very easy for Muslims to organise their daily activities while on vacation.
"For instance, they will be able to find halal restaurants and food outlets or suitable hotels, and even the closest places to pray while overseas via The Noor app.
"Users can also conveniently book their tours or holiday packages with THTS with this app," he says.
The Noor is a free app with a friendly user interface, which is available for download for Android via the Google Play Store and iOS from the Apple App Store.
Members of the app are also entitled to other rewards such as special offers and discounts for partners' products and services.
Neelofa, who is married to celebrity preacher Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail or PU Riz, says that the app is another way for her to help fellow Muslims.
"I use my platform to share knowledge and for this specifically to convey the message of Islam. I hope the app will be a big help and benefit to users," she says.