In the last year, more than 1,000 mosques—along with other places of worship like churches—have been destroyed in Gaza alone. The Saint Porphyrius Church, which dates back 1,600 years and is regarded as the third-oldest Christian church in the world, is one such example. Religious authorities and cultural preservationists have strongly condemned the targeting of these holy places, seeing it as an assault on faith and historical identity.

Many people are also worried about the possible devastation of Lebanon’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the highly significant ancient city of Baalbek. Many in the area are still in mourning over the destruction of mosques that have existed for generations because they believe that Lebanon’s rich religious and cultural legacy may soon be lost. There have been calls for international involvement to preserve these historic landmarks as a result of the devastation, which has increased tensions and fueled a greater sense of indignation and sorrow among the afflicted populations.

The post Israel’s vicious assaults on Muslim nations are still ongoing; Lebanon is the latest target! first appeared on Prayers Connect.

Embracing Language Diversity at Prayers Connect

The Importance of Translations

Reaching a Wider Audience: The initiative to translate Prayers Connect into multiple languages stems from a commitment to serve the global Muslim community. By offering the website in different languages, Prayers Connect aims to be more inclusive and accessible to Muslims around the world, regardless of their native language.

Choosing French as the Starting Point

Recognizing the French Muslim Community: The decision to start with French translation is driven by the substantial presence and importance of the Muslim community in France within the European region. This move acknowledges and respects the linguistic needs of French-speaking Muslims.

Future Language Additions

Expanding Linguistic Frontiers: Prayers Connect plans to include additional languages such as Arabic, German, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and Turkish in the coming months, insha-Allah. This expansion strategy is geared towards accommodating the diverse linguistic preferences of Muslims globally.

Community Involvement in Translations

Inviting Community Participation: We are not native to all languages and we understand in our journey we may make unintentional errors despite our well-intention & using cutting-edge technologies. We believe we can make meaningful translations with the help of the native speakers. Hence, Prayers Connect welcomes contributions from the community for translating and verifying content in various languages. This collective effort ensures that the translations are accurate and resonate with users in different parts of the world. Please reach out to get involved.

Looking Forward to A Multilingual Platform for All

The addition of language translations at Prayers Connect is a strategic move to embrace the diversity within the Muslim community. This enhancement is not just about adding new languages; it’s about connecting more deeply with Muslims worldwide by acknowledging and respecting their linguistic diversity. As Prayers Connect continues to add more languages, it reinforces its mission to be a universally accessible resource for finding mosques and Islamic resources.

Stay connected with prayersconnect.com for upcoming language updates and learn how you can contribute to this inclusive and expanding global initiative.

A Few Quick Links In French

• Mosquées
• Horaires de prière
• Horaires d’Iqamah
• Ramadan

The post Prayers Connect Expands Global Reach with New Language Translations first appeared on Prayers Connect.

Under the new guidance, a mosque or masjid can broadcast the call to prayer every Friday between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM as well as during the sunset prayers every evening during Ramadan — a holy, month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community observance that arrives in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/621-23/mayor-adams-nypd-commissioner-caban-take-historic-step-embrace-adhan-muslim-call-prayer#/0

In a landmark directive, Deputy Commissioner Mark Stewart of the Community Affairs Bureau has issued a memorandum affirming the right of (NYC) local mosques to use speakers for the Islamic call to prayer, commonly known as the Adhan.

Effective immediately, the Adhan—a crucial practice in Islam that takes place five times a day—can be publicly broadcast through speakers. Each call lasts a couple of minutes and serves as a reminder for Muslims to engage in mandatory prayer.

The Community Affairs personnel are directed to facilitate this development. Officers will visit mosques to ensure they are informed and compliant with the new guidelines.

The goal is to build an inclusive community where everyone’s religious practices are respected

Deputy Commissioner Stewart

Muslim leaders are encouraged to communicate with neighbors to establish a comfortable volume level for the call to prayer. The Community Affairs Bureau will assist mosques in fostering a positive relationship with their communities.

Although mosques do not require a special permit for this activity, there are guidelines to follow. According to the memorandum, sound systems must adhere to appropriate volume levels and cannot be operated before 9 a.m. or after sunset.

The announcement has been positively received.

This is very positive news for our community and we appreciate it a lot. Also, this reminds us to create a good relationship with our neighbors which is also our religious duty. Hopefully, in the future, with the discussions with authorities and neighbors we will be to be manage permissions for fajr & isha adhan also.

Md Belal Hossain, Imam of Baitun Noor Masjid, Ozone Park

The directive not only enhances religious freedom but also takes a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community.

Disclaimer: Prayers Connect verified the authenticity of this news by an NYPD staff.

Official Memo

The post NYPD Community Affairs Bureau Authorizes Use of Speakers for Muslim Call to Prayer first appeared on Prayers Connect.

We are thrilled to announce that Prayers Connect has expanded its services to Germany. Now, Muslims across the country can conveniently discover mosques and benefit from an array of features designed to enhance their spiritual experience. Alhamdulillah!

Prayers Connect understands the importance of staying connected to the local Muslim community, and with this expansion, we aim to facilitate that connection for Muslims residing in Germany. Whether you’re in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or any other city in Germany, our platform will enable you to explore and locate mosques near you with ease.

What’s Available?

One of our primary features, the Prayer Times module, which was already available globally, now incorporates auto-select calculation and juristic methods specific to all cities in Germany. Also, we added support for High Latitude Rules applicable to locations with Latitude greater than 48. This ensures that you receive accurate and reliable prayer timings tailored to your location.

In addition to the Prayer Times, the Prayers Connect team is working on it introducing iqamah timing which will be allowed mosque officials to update and display the actual iqamah of their respective mosques. Mosque administrators can take advantage of our Mosque Management System (MMS) to effortlessly manage various aspects of their mosque, such as editing information, uploading photos, and communicating with mosque members. Our aim is to empower mosque officials with the tools they need to efficiently serve their communities.

While we are currently focusing on providing mosque and prayer-related services, we have plans to expand our offerings in the future. Stay tuned for the introduction of other services like Islamic Events.

Prayers Connect is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the digital divide and supporting the spiritual community worldwide. Our services are already available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and many parts of Europe. With a global reach, we aim to unite Muslims through technology, regardless of geographical boundaries.

The post Hallo Deutschland, Prayers Connect is Here! first appeared on Prayers Connect.

The restoration project included repairs to the mosque’s exterior and interior, as well as the restoration of its original tiles and decorations. The project was funded by the Turkish government and private donors.

The Blue Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul. It is also a functioning mosque and is used for daily prayers.

The reopening of the Blue Mosque is a major event for Istanbul and Turkey. It is a symbol of the country’s rich history and culture, and it is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described it as

one of the most important symbols of Istanbul.

The mosque is located in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, near the Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. It is open to visitors from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.

Here are some tips for visiting the Blue Mosque:

• Dress modestly. Women should cover their hair and shoulders, and men should wear long pants and shirts that cover their knees.
• Remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
• Be respectful of the mosque’s religious significance.
• Take your time and admire the mosque’s architecture and interior.
• Be prepared for crowds. The Blue Mosque is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul, so expect it to be busy.

The Blue Mosque is a beautiful and historic building that is a must-see for any visitor to Istanbul. The restoration project has brought the mosque back to its former glory, and it is now more beautiful than ever.

The Blue Mosque is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture. The mosque’s six minarets are its most distinctive feature. The interior of the mosque is decorated with blue tiles, which give the mosque its name. The mosque is a popular tourist destination, and it is also a functioning mosque where muslims can come to pray.

The post The Majestic Blue Mosque Reopens After 5-years Restoration Project first appeared on Prayers Connect.

The path to this landmark decision was paved three years ago when city officials collaborated with the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque to allow the adhan to be broadcast outdoors five times daily during Ramadan. The calls to prayer take place when light appears at dawn, at noon, at mid-to late afternoon, at sunset, and when the night sky appears. In Minnesota, dawn can arrive as early as before 5:30 a.m. in summer, while sunset at the solstice occurs after 9 p.m. The city had allowed year-round broadcasts last year, but only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., typically excluding early morning prayer and sometimes night prayer​​.

So, in order to allow all adhan beyond those hours, the city has to amend its noise ordinance which was unanimously agreed upon by the Minneapolis City Council. The vote was notably cast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations affirmed that the action in Minneapolis shows the world that

A nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise

Minneapolis has seen a flourishing population of East African immigrants since at least the 1990s, with mosques now a common sight in the city. Notably, three of the 13 members of the council identify as Muslim. The decision to allow the broadcast of the adhan drew no organized community opposition, demonstrating the city’s commitment to religious diversity and acceptance. Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to sign the measure in the coming week​3​.

Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid An-Nur mosque in Minneapolis, who was among several Muslim leaders who witnessed the vote, lauded the city’s inclusive spirit, stating,

Minneapolis has become a city for all religions

Leaders from Christian and Jewish communities supported extended hours for the adhan. Council Member Lisa Goodman highlighted that the Jewish call to prayer faces no legal restrictions, emphasizing the need for equal recognition of all religious practices.

The decision by the city of Minneapolis serves as a milestone in the recognition of the Islamic faith in the U.S., reflecting the country’s foundational principles of religious freedom. It remains to be seen how this decision will influence similar measures in other cities across the nation, but the move undeniably marks a step forward toward inclusivity and religious diversity in the United States.

Source: abcnews

The post Minneapolis Becomes First Large U.S. City to Allow Islamic Prayer Calls Over Speakers first appeared on Prayers Connect.