Mosques broadcast call to prayer over loudspeakers to boost morale during Ramadan

Some Calgary mosques have begun broadcasting a call to prayerover loudspeakers for the first time, to boost morale over Ramadansince large gatherings have been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly was the first to do so from its Green Dome location mosque in the northeast last Thursday, soon followed by theAkram Jomaa Islamic Centre, theCalgary Southwest Masjid and the Al-Hedaya Islamic Centre of Northeast Calgary.

"May Allah bless the entire city council, bylaw officers, Coun. George Chahal, [Alberta Community and Social Services MinisterRajan]Sawhney and the community. May this COVID-19 disappear and everyone safe again. Thank you for the kindness and consideration. God bless Calgary. Love Calgary. Ramadan Mubarak," theAl Madinah Calgary Islamic Assembly tweeted Thursday.

Theorganizationsreceived permission from the City of Calgaryto broadcast the Adhan until the end of Ramadan later this month.

The Muslim holy month is centred around communal prayers and gatherings, which have been mostly cancelled due to physical distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Omar El-Hajjar, president of the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre, said bringing back the religious practice will help raise people's spirits during Ramadan.

"Ramadan is very important to us. It's the month of gathering ... unity [and] giving," he said.

"Because of the pandemic, we're seeing a lot of people losing morale ... so, we decided to go ahead and do the Adhan because it gives that boost ... we're still here, our community is still here."

The Adhan is normally played about five times a day for prayer congregations.

The mosques are broadcasting the call to prayer corresponding with Maghrib, or sunset prayer, signifying to Muslims the time to break their fast.

"It makes people have some dignity, have special comfort, special happiness. It takes them back home," said Imam Jamal Hammoudof the Akram Jomaa Islamic Centre, noting that it's common for the Adhan to be broadcast in Muslim-majority countries.

Somepeople drove in to the mosques to listenfrom the parking lot, while others listened from their homes or online.