Preston mosques to broadcast call to prayer to mark the end of Ramadan

The City Mosque in North Road Pic: Tony Worrall

Preston mosques are set to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan by broadcasting the Eid symbolic call to prayer by loudspeaker.

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by coronavirus, Preston City Council has agreed to a request from the Muslim community to broadcast the two to three minute prayer as an alternative to the community’s standard celebrations, which would go against social distancing guidelines.

Mukhtar Master, Muslim representative for the Preston Faith Covenant, said: “We appreciate this gesture from Preston City Council, allowing us to recognise the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan in a new way, which is appropriate within the current restrictions.

“This is a very important time of tradition and celebration for our community. The gesture is symbolic and an act of solidarity which means a lot to our small community. All the mosques of Preston will be participating and will be hoping that our neighbours enjoy this unique event.”

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said: “We are keenly aware of how difficult it has been for our Muslim communities who have not been able to come together, pray and break their fast, as is their tradition during Ramadan.

“While this is not a real replacement for time spent celebrating with family and friends, I am proud we are able to support the community and offer a small way to mark the occasion. We believe this unique event will be of interest to the whole community and illustrates the benefit of genuine dialogue with faith leaders through the pandemic.’

“I would like to wish all who are celebrating, Eid Mubarak.”

Eid can be celebrated on different days depending on the community’s traditions, but is likely to be either Saturday 23 May or Sunday 24 May. The sunset prayer will start at approximately 9.20pm.

Mosques remain closed until further guidance is provided by Government.

The Call to Prayer will be broadcast in Arabic. The translation into English is:

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ
Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ
I bear witness that there is no god besides Allah

اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ
I bear witness that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah

حَىَّ عَلَى الصَّلٰوةِ
Come to Salah. Come to Salah

حَىَّ عَلَى الْـفَلاَحِ
Come to success. Come to success

اَلصَّلَاةُ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ النَّوْمِ
Salah is better than sleep

اَللهُ اَكْبَرُ اَللهُ اَكْبَرْ
Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest

لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ
There is no God, but Allah

What do you think of the mosques broadcasting the Call to Prayer? Let us know in the comments.