In a revolutionary blend of faith and fitness, elderly worshippers are tackling loneliness and lumbago one squat at a time.

It starts with a prayer and ends with a plank. In the hushed, carpeted halls of the Jamia Usmania mosque in Bradford, a quiet revolution is taking place that challenges every stereotype about elderly men, religion, and physical fitness.

Instead of dispersing after the Zuhr (midday) prayers, a cohort of retirees—some with pacemakers, others with double-knee replacements—are rolling up their thobes to engage in 45 minutes of grueling core work. Led by 69-year-old instructor Zafar Kayani, this "Pilates after Prayers" initiative has exploded from a local curiosity to a viral sensation, amassing over 2 million views on TikTok and sparking inquiries from as far away as Malaysia and Canada.

From Eastleigh to Bradford: A Shared Struggle

The scene in Bradford resonates deeply with the reality in our own communities, from Eastleigh to Mombasa. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and diabetes are ravaging the elderly population, exacerbated by a sedentary lifestyle. The mosque has always been a center for spiritual health; Kayani proves it can be a center for physical survival too.

"They are coming here for their spiritual health," Kayani explains, his voice echoing in the prayer hall. "Then getting that physical exercise and mental wellbeing, and they are connecting with each other."

The Anatomy of a Movement

The program is deceptively simple but profoundly effective. It tackles the "silent killer" of old age: isolation.

• Breaking the Pain Barrier: "Before I used to feel aches everywhere," says Mohammed Salim, 66, a retired shopkeeper. "Recently I had a pacemaker fitted, but I don't feel anything because I do the activity." It is a testament to the body's resilience, even in the twilight years.
• The Social Glue: Beyond the squats and glute bridges, the class provides a vital "friendship group." In a world where the elderly are often warehoused and forgotten, this hour of collective sweat restores dignity and camaraderie.
• The Viral Effect: The mosque's general secretary, Mohammed Ilyas, admits they "never expected it to go that viral." But the hunger for such spaces is universal. Plans are now afoot to expand the program to women and youth, turning the mosque into a holistic community hub.

A Prescription for the Future

The genius of the Bradford model is its accessibility. There are no expensive gym memberships, no judgement, and no special gear required. "They can just join in the class in whatever they are wearing," Ilyas notes.

As Kenya grapples with its own healthcare crisis, perhaps the solution isn't just in building more hospitals, but in unlocking the doors of our community centers. Zafar Kayani calls his students "men of steel," and as they hold their butterfly poses on the mosque carpet, it is hard to argue. They are rebuilding their bodies, one prayer and one pilates stretch at a time.