The call to prayer

There is a lot of devotion in the Muslim religion. In fact, this devotion is shown five times a day during the call to prayer. Just like church bells ringing on a Sunday morning, the call to prayer echoes throughout the country five times a day on loud speakers that have been posted on every street corner, mosque, restaurant, shopping mall, and school. A loud, deep voice echoes over the country, chanting verses from the Holy Qur’an and a weird, silent blanket falls over everything else. For a Muslim, you are being summoned to stop whatever you are doing and worship your God- no matter where you are. For a non-Muslim, it can be disturbing and peaceful at the same time. For me, it’s a reminder of the world in which I live in.

The prayer intervals change each day depending on the sun. It begins at dawn and then repeats three times throughout the day, with the last one two hours after the sun has set. Most Muslims go to a mosque or prayer room during these times. However, if a Muslim is traveling and unable to reach a designated place of worship, he will first determine the location of Mecca and then roll out his prayer carpet and begin praying to Allah. In case you are driving during the call to prayer, it also takes over every radio station so that you can play it in your car. To be honest though, I don’t know how safe this is.

 When I first arrived in the country, the call to prayer really freaked me out. To be honest- it kind of scared me. After a month or so, you get used to it. Now I barely even notice when it is chanting in the background of a conversation that I may be having. Whether I hear it or not, the call to prayer is a huge reminder of the devotion that the Muslim people have to their religion. It makes them whole, tells them who they are, and gives them a reason for living. They worship in public and are not at all embarrassed to do so.

 Perhaps it is impossible for me to understand their religion, but it I would be blind if I said that I couldn’t see the devotion of Muslims.