Cologne’s Central Mosque sounds call to prayer for the first time

Authorities in Cologne final 12 months cleared the best way for mosques to use for permission to name for prayer for a most 5 minutes.

Folks stand exterior the central DITIB mosque on the 'Day of Open Mosques' in Cologne [File: Martin Meissner/AP]

The Muslim name to prayer has sounded for the primary time from one among Germany’s greatest mosques in Cologne, however at restricted quantity – as a part of a undertaking agreed with authorities within the metropolis that has one of many nation’s largest Muslim communities.

Authorities in Germany’s fourth-biggest metropolis final 12 months cleared the best way for mosques to use for permission to name for prayer for a most 5 minutes between midday and 3pm on Fridays, with a noise restrict being set for every mosque in line with its location.

The decision to prayer was not a primary for Germany however Friday’s improvement introduced it to a very outstanding mosque.

The Central Mosque, a contemporary constructing with two tall minarets, is positioned on a busy street in Ehrenfeld district simply west of town centre. The large glass and concrete construction – designed as a flower bud – has room for 1,200 worshippers.

Run by the Turkish-Islamic Union for Spiritual Affairs, or DITIB, it was inaugurated by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2018.

Till now, the decision to prayer was heard solely contained in the constructing

DITIB mentioned an settlement for a two-year trial of the decision was made with town on Wednesday. Authorities mentioned it will be broadcast by loudspeaker and be audible exterior, although it needs to be restricted to 60 decibels for close by residents.

“We’re very blissful,” Abdurrahman Atasoy, DITIB normal secretary advised reporters on Thursday. “The general public name to prayer is an indication that Muslims are at residence right here.”

Cologne’s mayor mentioned permitting the decision to prayer exhibits range is appreciated within the metropolis.

Nonetheless, the restrictions imposed on the undertaking level to the sensitivity of the topic. And the development of the Central Mosque itself drew opposition from right-wing teams, Cologne’s then-archbishop and others within the late 2000s.

Germany is residence to greater than 5 million Muslims, accounting for about six % of the inhabitants. Cologne, famed for its towering Dom Cathedral, counts greater than 100,000 Muslim residents.