Cologne mosques can broadcast azan on Fridays

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
The largest mosque in Germany at Cologne
The largest mosque in Germany at Cologne

 

Cologne (Germany)

The authorities of Cologne city in Germany have permitted the use of loudspeakers in 35 mosques including the country’s largest one, for Friday prayers.

The agreement for this was signed between the representatives of the Muslim community and the local law and order authorities. The mosques will be able to use loudspeakers for 5 minutes for giving a call to the Muslims for the Friday congregational prayers.

The mosque authorities however, have to strictly adhere to the prescribed duration of the loudspeaker.

The Mayor of Cologne said in a statement on Twitter that allowing the muezzin to call to prayer was a sign of respect for the community.

'Many residents of Cologne are Muslims. In my view it is a mark of respect to allow the muezzin's call,' Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker wrote on Twitter.

There are about 4.5 million Muslims in Germany, the country's largest religious minority. The country have allowed a lot of refugees from Syria and other middle-eastern countries that are facing turmoil.

The agreement is signed for two years. The mosques can give a call to the devout for prayers betweenn noon and 3 p.m. on Friday.

This includes Cologne's main mosque the opening of which was once opposed by the local right-wing parties in 2018.

The anti-Muslim sentiments had grown after the arrival of asylum seekers and some incidents in which the outsiders misbehaved with women in public places.

Cologne Mayor Henriette Ricker wrote on Twitter that it was an honor for the muezzin to allow the call to prayer. He added that it shows that pluralism is a fact that lives and is valued in Cologne, Germany.

Cologne is the largest state in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany and the fourth most populous city in the country.

The city is home to a large number of first- and second-generation Turkish immigrants. With the official census of 2017 and 2018, the number of this community is close to 55,000.

The call to prayer has often been the target of anti-Muslim political rhetoric, as is often seen with other symbols of Muslim identity, such as the hijab and niqab. Last year, a court in the German city of Munster lifted a ban on the call to prayer at a local mosque following a complaint by a local Christian couple.

Presiding Judge Annette Klansinger said at the time that the call to prayer did not violate the couple's rights, but that every society should accept this as well as be aware that others use their faith.