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March 28, 2008
Its Islamic Awareness Month
at the University of Miami:
Muslims students at the University of Miami have organized for the Islamic call to prayer, broadcasted each Friday afternoon this month from Richter Library's clock tower in commemoration of Islamic Awareness Month.
The call to prayer, or Adhan, is spoken in Arabic and is meant to resonate throughout the area.
"It serves as constant reminder of when we have to pray, because prayer itself is a reminder of our religion and how we practice it," said Selima Jumarali, the vice president of the organization.
According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims are to pray five times a day. In Muslim-majority countries, the call is usually performed live by an individual and is heard before every prayer.
Friday afternoon was chosen as the time to play the call because "it revolves around the day of congregational prayer," Jumarali said. Like Saturday for Jews or Sunday for Christians, Friday "holds strong significance for Muslims," she said.
Outside the library last Friday, students listened during the three-minute recording.
Kaleena Salgueiro said that although she could not understand the words in Arabic, the call was "pretty" and "very melodic." She said it reminded her of chanting in a monastery.
When asked whether they thought the Friday prayer call should be continued even after the month, many replied "why not?"
"It brings true variety to the university and open appreciation to diversity, especially in these times when people have misunderstandings of Muslims and who we are," she said.
Misunderstandings of moslems and who they are? Yeah. Sure. Everything I need to know about Islam, I learned from the history books, and from watching what they have done in the Middle East, and from what they have done, and continue to do to Israel. That knowledge was further expanded on September 11, 2001 and further expanded through the years of hijackings, kidnappings, the cartoon riots, the bombings of schools and malls in Iraq, the beheadings, honor killings, hangings, stonings, mutilations...
To me, the "moslem call to prayer" sounds like the "Death to America" chanting that is so popular wherever moslems gather.
Still, yannow, they broadcast the Bible over loudspeakers during Christian Awareness Month and they broadcast the Torah over loudspeakers during Jewish Awareness Month, right?
Wrong. There is no Christian Awareness Month, no Jewish Awareness Month, no Buddist Awareness Month, no Athiest Awareness Month, although I'm sure there are plenty of Christians, Jews, Buddists and Athiests on Campus. Oh no no no, and nope. There is only Islam Awareness Month.
I don't know about you, but I'm damn sick and tired of being aware of Islam.
Posted by LindaSoG at March 28, 2008 06:16 AM
Comments
Yannow what? ME TOO!
Posted by: Laura at March 28, 2008 07:15 AM
I wholeheartedly support Jewish Awareness Month, and I'm not Jewish. I am very aware of Muslims and their "contributions". I am also aware of the contributions of Jews and Jewish Americans.
Keep it up, Linda.
Posted by: 1911Man at March 28, 2008 08:51 AM
l don't want to understand these people what l want them to do is to stop trying to shove islam down our throats. islam is like a bad tv commercial, everyone is sick of watching and listening. l will always support israel but never muslims,,, they are here in the usa trying to undermine our laws and using our constitution against us. anyone thats trying to take away my freedoms is my enemy and thats exactly what these islamics are patiently waiting to do but only ordinary citizens can see right through them while the government continue to give them a pass.
Posted by: jan at March 28, 2008 01:34 PM
Me too Linda, enough!!!
Posted by: Jack at March 28, 2008 02:08 PM
Silence plus Complacency equals Death. Great job, M'Lady.
Wollf
Posted by: Wollf at March 28, 2008 04:40 PM
Muslims students at the University of Miami have organized for the Islamic call to prayer, broadcasted each Friday afternoon this month from Richter Library's clock towerUm... it's a clock!!! Am I the only one who thinks announcing that its time for prayer from a giant clock is just a wee bit redundant? Is there some dogmatic reason muslims have to be told when to pray? they cant use watches? cell phones? alarms?
Posted by: American Elephant at March 28, 2008 10:50 PM