Nadine Osman
The sound of live adhan (call to prayer) has been ringing out from across almost 100 mosques in Germany and the Netherlands, as a gesture of support for Muslims amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The adhan was chanted from the minarets of mosques belonging to the Turkish-Muslim umbrella group, Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs, aka DITIB, and the Islamic Community National View, one of Germany’s largest Muslim-Turkish associations.
DITIB Essen, Representative Fahrettin Alptekin, said that the adhan could be heard from over 50 local mosques.
The adhan broadcast began on Friday, April 3. Alptekin said that adhan being broadcast by a loudspeaker is generally prohibited in Germany, except for special occasions.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands broadcasting the adhan through speakers is growing more widespread to promote solidarity against the virus.