Islam Rising: Piccadilly Mosque

[Khandro]

Do you think it appropriate for the calls to prayer, the 'Adhan', which is the Islamic call to public prayer from a mosque recited by a muezzin at prescribed times of the day. (Adhan is recited from the mosque five times daily, traditionally from the minaret) will sound out in Piccadilly circus, or that it is in fact a suitable place for a mosque anyway?

The new 'Trocadero' mosque, financed by a Muslim billionaire who it seems owns large swathes of London already. His initiative is of course welcomed by the London mayor & has been given the approval by the Labour-led London council.

[chelle7272]

There wont be any calls to prayer.
Alongside a community centre is probably the most suitable place for a mosque, if it is needed.

[Khandro]

N.J. I concur with your first sentence;

// Personally I think that Islam has no place anywhere in the world, let alone Piccadilly Circus.//

but not with the following;

//My belief (religion if you like) is that all organised religion should be proscribed. //

You are entitled to hold that belief of course, but if Christianity had been outlawed in first century Rome & fourth century Britain, you would not be living in the recognisable civilization & culture you are today.

[sandyRoe]

Surely Christianity was outlawed in ancient Rome? Feeding them to the lions and all that.

[nailedit]

There was a time when Christianity DOMINATED Britain!
It was known as the Dark Ages.

[nailedit]

As regards mosques and loudspeakers...
There is a mosque not far from me which kept me awake from about 2am in the morning a few weeks ago with all night prayers.

[ichkeria]

Yes Xianity was persecuted in Rome for two or three centuries aftet the time of Christ. Ironically the empire was overrun by hordes from the east not long after Rome became Christian officially.

[nailedit]

Keep religion to the home and OUT of public life.
Its a nuisance at least and dangerous at worst.

[Khandro]

Christianity appeared in Rome in the first century (obviously!) but it was Emperor Constantine who converted to it & made it the official religion a century later.

nailedit; The 'dark ages' were so called because there was little documentation compared to the renaissance which followed on from that period - no one turned out all the lights.

[Khandro]

A product of the 'dark ages' b.t.w. ;

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160425-the-book-of-kells-medieval-europes-greatest-treasure

[nailedit]

Khandro,
Do you actually know anything about Constantine?
His murderous acts AFTER he supposedly became a xtian?
Killing his own family etc?

[Zacs-Master]

I always get a rise out of you, don't I khandro. If you rely on YouTube videos to put your point across, maybe you shouldn't be trying to make whatever point is you seem to be struggling with b

[New Judge]

//You are entitled to hold that belief of course, but if Christianity had been outlawed in first century Rome & fourth century Britain, you would not be living in the recognisable civilization & culture you are today.//

That is something you cannot possibly claim with any degree of certainty. Who knows how Britain would have evolved with no religion at all. Much of our history (and that of other nations with whom were were either allies or at war) is heavily influenced by disagreements over religion. Many current disagreements are rooted in religion. Even very recently UK people were engaged in a religious civil war.

I have every respect for people who have religious beliefs (even though I agree with none of them) but those beliefs should be exercised in private. Nobody else needs to know which God (if any) you worship.

[Khandro]

N.J. //Much of our history (and that of other nations with whom were were either allies or at war) is heavily influenced by disagreements over religion. Many current disagreements are rooted in religion.//

This simply is not true, wars are fought over territory & possessions, just as the current one in Ukraine is and so were WWs 1 and 11.

You would have to go back to the crusades to find a religious war. If you mean by 'our history' the english civil war that was about power between Parliament and Charles I

If it wasn't for Christianity & its bearing on European civilization & culture, I think you would now be either a Muslim or if you rejected that, you would be an 'apostate'.

The Ottomans were driven back from the gates of Vienna for which we should be thankful, but we seem to be opening all the gates again and a mosque in Piccadilly Circus is truly emblematic of that.

[alisaroba]

The appropriateness of having the call to prayer (Adhan) in public spaces, like Piccadilly Circus, or the establishment of a mosque is a complex and subjective matter that involves cultural, religious, social, and urban planning considerations. Here are a few points to consider:

Religious Freedom: Many countries, including the UK, value religious freedom and the right of individuals to practice their faith. Allowing the Adhan in public spaces could be seen as an expression of this freedom.

Cultural Diversity: Cities like London are diverse and multicultural, with various religious communities. Allowing the Adhan and having mosques can contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of the city.

Noise and Public Space: The Adhan involves a call to prayer, and public spaces have different purposes, including being areas for relaxation, entertainment, and tourism. Balancing religious expression with the need for peace and quiet in public spaces can be a challenge.

Urban Planning: The location of mosques and the call to prayer can also involve urban planning considerations, including the compatibility of the mosque with the surrounding area and its impact on the local community.

Local Community Views: Public opinion varies, and it's important to consider the perspectives of both the local Muslim community and the wider community in the vicinity of the proposed mosque or call to prayer.

Respect and Inclusivity: Proponents of the Adhan and mosques argue that they contribute to creating inclusive and respectful environments where people of different faiths can coexist.

Regulations and Approvals: Decisions about religious practices in public spaces, including the Adhan and mosque establishments, are often subject to local regulations, zoning laws, and approvals from relevant authorities. Read more on www.islamguide.eu

Ultimately, decisions about matters like the Adhan and mosque locations are made through a combination of public discourse, community consultations, legal processes, and considerations of cultural harmony and religious freedom. Local authorities, governments, and communities must find a balance that respects both religious practices and the broader needs and sensitivities of the community.

[Khandro]

alisaroba; //... Allowing the Adhan and having mosques can contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of the city.//

Neither I, my parents nor grandparents, have ever been asked if they want to live in a 'diverse' society.

What advantages are there in such societies for indigenous populations?

[rowanwitch]

You can find a corner shop open when you need one,
I can buy amazing fabrics at silly prices, obtain exciting ingredients for recipes, Birmingham is really multicultural without a lot of the animosity I see when I visit london. I would prefer it if this was a secular state and religion was kept to the domestic setting but after seeing the recent Coronation I can see that is still a long way off.