The Islamic call to prayer, the Adhan, resounded in the heart of London on Friday, May 7, to mark the end of an interfaith Iftar gathering.
British-Bangladeshi Kazi Shafiqur Rahman is a 35-year-old muezzin from London who performs his version of the Adhan at mosques and events in the English capital.
In order to mark the conclusion of an iftar meeting, Rahman performed the Adhan using a microphone in the center of London’s Tower Bridge, sending his call to prayer through the heart of the metropolis. “I am an ordinary person and I am grateful to have been blessed with this opportunity. It’s a humbling experience, ”Rahman said.
In 2020, Rahman performed the Adhan at London’s Canary Wharf, in the heart of the city’s financial district. The response Rahman received through social media inspired him to continue his public performances.
“The impact of last year’s adhan was just incredible, the video reached millions of viewers,” Rahman said.
He was asked to perform the Adhan again this year, to mark the conclusion of an interfaith gathering hosted by real estate firm Tower Hamlets Homes and the East London Mosque. The organizations came together on Friday for the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum, which brought together local residents of various faiths.
The event aimed to “facilitate better communication and understanding between different religions” in the London neighborhood and called the effort “vital” amid the current “international climate”.
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