Adhan
18/1/18 The Adhan: The Islamic Call to Prayer Muslims are called to the five scheduled daily prayers (salat) by a formal announcement, called the adhan. (The adhan is also used to call believers to Friday worship at the mosque.) The adhan is called out from the mosque by the muezzin (or muadhan; the prayer leader) which is recited from the mosque's minaret tower. The Arabic word adhan means "to listen," and the ritual serves as a general statement of shared belief and faith, as well as an alert that prayers are about to begin inside the mosque. A second call, known as iqama, (set up) will then summons Muslims to line up for the beginning of the prayers. The muezzin ( or muadhan) is a position of honor within the mosque, a servant selected for his good character and clear, loud voice. As he recites the adhan, the muezzin faces the Kaaba in Mekkah. The following is the Arabic transliteration and the English translation of what you hear: