The call to prayer from mosques.

[Andyvon]

My wife and I have visited several Islamic countries where the faithful are called to prayer five times a day from the mosques. However, we have yet to discover exactly what the muezzins are singing as it is always in Arabic/Turkish etc. When we have asked locals what the actual words sung from the minarets are, they simply reply "the call to prayer" and leave it at that.

My best guess is that the muezzins are singing verses from the Koran. However, I have also wondered whether the calls are simple reminders to the faithful of the approaching prayer time but skillfully set in a melodic fashion. Either way, we always find the muezzins entrancing and very atmospheric - even when they do wake you before dawn every day!

Are there any Muslims or anyone else who knows exactly what the wording of the calls are please? It would certainly answer a longstanding question.

[johnlambert]

Great question!!
like you I will be interested to see what's being sung, also like you i have visited middle eastern countries,Egypt, Israel, Saudi, Kuwait etc.
I dont think it is simply called "call to prayer" though as it sounded each time I heard it during the day

[saxy_jag]

http://www.balaams-ass.com/alhaj/calltoprayer. htm

There is a recording of it playing when you open the page, and if you scroll down, you'll find the words with a translation.

Sometimes, in the summer, when we have all the windows open, you can hear the call from the Leicester mosques - it's a lovely sound.

[Andyvon]

Thank you both for your replies, especially you saxyjag for the superb answer. The link answered all the questions we have had for quite some time now.

What I found particularly interesting was that when I read through each prayer, it brought back the singing I have heard at the same time every day in different places like Morocco, Tunisia, Kuwait and Turkey but which I haven't understood at the time. Next time we hear the muezzins we will know what we are listening to and I'm sure that will make the experience even more pleasant. Thanks again.

[grasscarp]

You can get plastic alarm clocks in lurid colours which play all the various versions of the call. I have got one. You have to find someone visiting the middle east to buy one for you.

[Andyvon]

Thanks grasscarp.

I think I preferred my lurid plastic Wurlitzer juke box alarm clock which woke me every morning with Bill Hailey singing Rock Around the Clock. I lost that several years ago and I haven't seen another one.

[grasscarp]

If you really want to replace it, you will find there is one the same currently on ebay! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JUKEBOX-ALARM-CLOCK_W0QQ itemZ200130812400QQihZ010QQcategoryZ13721QQcmd ZViewItem