After a municipality in the Swedish capital of Stockholm allowed the recitation of the adhan -- the Islamic call to prayer -- through minaret speakers, the inaugural adhan was heard on Friday, marking a first in Western Europe.
The Islamic Cultural Center of Botkyrka, a municipality in Stockholm mostly populated by immigrants, applied last year to municipal authorities seeking permission for the recitation of the adhan before Friday prayers through speakers in the minaret of the Fittja Mosque, located within the boundaries of Botkyrka.
After technical preparations were complete, the first adhan was broadcast on Friday. Large numbers of Muslims flocked to the mosque to witness the unprecedented scene.
Head of the mosque İsmail Okur told reporters that they present their gratitude to the municipality for accepting their request, adding that many of his congregation had very much missed hearing the adhan through minaret speakers like in their native countries.
“The first adhan broadcast was performed for trial purposes. Mehmet Görmez, head of the Religious Affairs Directorate, will come to our mosque next week to commemorate Kutlu Doğum Haftası [Sacred Birth Week],” Okur added.
Sacred Birth Week is a week in April during which Turks commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
The municipal council convened in February and unanimously approved the request. Botkyrka is a region mostly populated by Muslims and the Fittja Mosque is the only mosque in Sweden that has a minaret.
Many Muslims from all around Sweden had traveled to Botkyrka to witness this historic event. The Swedish media also showed a great interest in covering the event.
Syndicated from Today's Zaman
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