There has been a groot geraas over the athaan(Islamic call to prayer) recently.
Is there a place for it in modern South African society, or is it a disturbance to citizens?
Let’s first take a closer look at the ancient tradition.
The ritual, which has its roots in the time of Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 14 centuries ago, beckons worshippers to mosque five times a day – from sunrise to night time prayers.
The masjids nominate a muezzin, who recites the athaan over loudspeakers.
It’s done in the original Arabic in a melodious Middle Eastern way.
The direct translation is:
God is great
I bear witness that there is only one God
I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s messenger
Come to prayer, come to success
Prayer is better than sleep (sunrise athaan only)
God is great, there is no other God.
For those of you who have lived in neighbourhoods where there is a large Muslim community, like Bo-Kaap, District Six, Salt River and Athlone, you’ll be familiar with the athaan.
It’s a normal part of life, you don’t mind it, perhaps you even appreciate it, sometimes you don’t notice it.
Most Muslim people accept it as a part of life and their culture.
The problem is that it’s a mistake to think that all non-Muslim communities tolerate it.
After all, it’s not their religion, not their culture.
Let’s face it, what non-Muslim wants to be alerted at 5am that it’s time to get up and go to mosque.
This week, it was sad to see this “holy war” being waged again in Rek Jou Bek and on Facebook.
The same old arguments flared up:
“It’s disturbing our sleep”
Athaan versus church bells
“Why can’t you use your cellphone alarm?”
“Don’t force your religion on us”
“Respect our freedom of religion.”
Munier finds it all very tiring.
Firstly, you can’t compare the athaan, which sounds five times a day at sometimes odd hours, with church bells, which ring on a Sunday morning.
Secondly, you can’t replace a deeply cultural practice with a cellphone ringtone.
Thirdly, it’s absurd to suggest that Muslims are trying to somehow “force their religion” on, or invade, communities.
The key is respect – from both sides.
We live in a diverse country where the rights and cultures of all our communities are enshrined in the constitution.
As such, there should be tolerance and compromise.
Non-Muslims should respect that this is the culture of Islam, and accept the athaan as part of our Rainbow Nation.
Muslims should, in turn, be conscious of the fact that non-Muslims may find the athaan offensive, especially when it is done in the early hours.
One way of addressing the issue would be for imams and residents’ committees to sit down and share their concerns, and work towards solutions or compromises.
Perhaps all parties can agree on acceptable volume levels?
The aim here is to engage with each other and find ways to live in harmony.
What we don’t want is people like Liam Christian Ferreira chanting “burn the mosque” on an impersonal platform like Facebook.
Munier also suspects that the pig snout attack in Simon’s Town, and the blood splattering incident in Kalk Bay this week, had something to do with the anti-athaan brigade.
For God’s sake, stop it!