Major push for UK mosques to make loud call to prayer three times a day

A petition to allow loud call for prayer, known as Adhan, in UK mosques has been signed by more than 25 thousand people.

The petition on the UK Government website has received 25,221 signatures.

Those behind the petition say: “The adhan, or Islamic call to prayer, is an integral part of the Muslim faith.

“The number of people practicing the religion of Islam in the United Kingdom exceeds three million.

“Some neighbourhood towns have more than 50 per cent Muslim population.”

The petition has asked the Government to allow loud call for prayer at least three times a day in highly Muslim populated areas.

It says: “I believe it is the right time to experiment and allow highly Muslim populated areas with a loud call for prayer at least three times a day, not during anti-social hours.”

The petition was particularly popular in Hodge Hill in Birmingham with 765 signatories and East Ham in London, where it got 940 signatures.

The Government’s official response to the petition has advised people to speak to their local authority about public calls to worship.

Officials said: “The Government recognises the unique contribution that people of faith make to their own local communities and to wider society.”

Adhan is a short verse recited to summon Muslims to mosque, normally amplifies with a microphone from the top of a mosque.

The prayer is normally called out five times a day, it recites the Takbir, which states that God is great. Also stated is the Shahada, which is about Muhammed being the messenger of God.

Adhan is allowed in some mosques in the UK, in 1986, East London Mosque was one of the first in the UK to be allowed to use loudspeakers to broadcast the prayer.

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