Business, education, wealth & technological forces may require that Islam ignore traditional methods of Adhan, the call to prayer, and create a national prayer clock.

Dubai’s Islamic leaders, Sheiks and Sultans have ended a conference on the idea of having a centralized prayer clock that will uniformly call Muslims to pray nationwide. As it now exists the muezzin (religious crier) of every mosque uses their clock to determine the precise time for the various prayers. While an official time is set in each nation (with concurrence from Saudi Arabia) each cleric (Imam) has the ability to determine when exactly that time is. As a result the current situation is that mosques are calling prayer over a wide variety of time.

The Islamic Day

The article “Why Eid is on Different Days” explains the concept of the lunar month very well; however, the Islamic day is also quite important. The day begins just after sunset, Maghrib, with the week beginning on what is Sunday in the Jewish calendar. Similar to the Christian day, which begins at midnight, “day” in Islam, begins with the night.

During the day it is important for Muslims to perform Salah five times. More commonly referred to as the 5 prayers, salah is the most important act of worship for Muslims. Depending on the salah the phrase “Allah u Akbar” God is Great/the Greatest is repeated between 2 – 4 times by the muezzin from atop the minaret.

The Tradition

“Then the Archangel showed him [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] all the positions of Muslim prayer-the various movements and things to be said with each movement.” From “This is Mohammad”!

The five prayers; Fajr, Dhuhr (except on Friday when it is replaced with the jumu'ah), Asr, Maghrib, and Isha'a have different objectives for the praying Muslim. The ritualistic manner of praying is nearly as important as the prayer themselves. Ritual and symbology is a major factor in Islam as it is in many religions.

The call to prayer has been likened by Westerns as the ringing of the church bells. Now amplified by loud speakers perched atop a minaret, the muezzin calls to the faithful. “The Adhan can be heard from blocks away, and that is no accident. Imam Abuismail Tahoor Ahmed explains. This is an important aspect of the tradition. ‘It reaches out to the masses,’ said Ahmed. ‘It reminds them of their obligation’.”

The Modern World

Islam and the West have met successfully in Dubai and the UAE. With only 10% of the population native Emiratees and 60% from mostly Hindu India, the potential problems are visible. Less than 63% of the resident population, of a Muslim Country, is in fact Muslim (less than 30% in Dubai.)

As a Muslim gains wealth it is their responsibility to aid the poor and further the concepts of Islam. The easiest way to do this (for those gaining quick wealth) is to build a mosque - they are springing up in the UAE as fast as any condo or business development in Jebel Ali.

The Problem

Currently, in the United Arab Emirates, the start of prayer time varies by several minutes. Every mosque has its own start time and with literally thousands of mosques throughout the nation; it is difficult for a worshipper to know what the correct call is.

Business leaders and shops have complained that productivity is seriously reduced because of this difference. Industry feels it is difficult to operate effectively; yet, respect Islam and Sharia Law

The Answer

A centralized system that reaches all mosques nationwide - similar to an ATM system - would create a national consensus. This would have a twofold affect:

1. It would unify the Adhan with one national muezzin for all the mosques – similar to the system in Cairo Egypt.
2. It would increase productivity by minimizing abuse of the diverse times currently in place.

Related Articles:

Religious Tolerance in America

Christian Behavior During Ramadan

Middle East Sunni and Shia Muslims