Starting Early: Sunday School for Muslim Children in Padang, West Sumatra

Although it is still dark, the mosque is filling with primary school-aged children hurrying to be seated on the floor before 6am. It is the last Sunday in the month and the turn of Baitul Haadi mosque, Kampong Baru, Padang, to host the other four groups which form its neighbourhood cluster for didikan subuh (dawn schooling). A student in his twenties from Padangs Imam Bonjol State Islamic Institute (IAIN) welcomes the children. He then hands the microphone to the 11 year old boy who will be the master of ceremonies for the next hour. There is a slight commotion as the last group of children file into the mosque and take their places.