KRG considers standardizing Islamic Adhan using electronic version

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The project of standardizing the Islamic call to prayer (Adhan) needs to be studied in detail by the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs before a decision is made, said an official from the Ministry on Saturday.

Mariwan Naqshbandi, a senior official from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs told Kurdistan24 the project needs to be studied before approval.

“The project has so much detail that requires the Ministry to study the religious, scientific, and technical aspects of the project in depth before it’s approved,” Naqshbandi said.

The Adhan is usually called out from a Mosque five times a day.

It is mostly transmitted through speakers on the minaret traditionally built next to a Mosque.

There are over 5,500 Mosques in the Kurdistan Region where the Adhan is called by different local people in the area through speakers.

People in the Kurdistan Region view the move in a positive light. They usually complain the current system often delays the Adhan by a few minutes in many places.

“Sometimes I feel confused,” a 70-year-old man from Erbil told Kurdistan24. “I know it is the exact time for the Adhan, but I hear nothing as it is delayed by several minutes.”

Sleman Mohammed, an Islamic preacher, explained to Kurdistan24 that standardizing the Adhan would no longer bother people who did not admire the voice of some Muazin’s (the one who calls the Adhan).

“I have heard people who complained the voice quality of some Muazin was disturbing. Standardizing the Adhan will be a positive move,” Mohammed said.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany
(Afsanah Shamohammadi contributed to this report)