the call to prayer

In Muslim countries, the call to prayer occurs 5 times per day.  You hear it played over loudspeakers at prescribed times of the day.  The five prayer calls and their time today (Sept 19) in Al Ain were:

1.  Fajr (between beginning of dawn and sunrise) - 4:48am
2.  Dhuhr (noon) - 12:11pm
3.  Asr (late afternoon) - 3:38pm
4.  Maghrib (evening) - 6:17pm
5.  Isha (night) - 7:49pm.

Since I haven't really been sleeping, I've heard the Fajr most mornings I've been here.  It is low and hauntingly beautiful.  In the early morning, you can hear crickets chirping over the sound of the call.  (I tried to record it from the balcony of my hotel but you can only hear the crickets!)  I've also heard the call played in the afternoon when we have been at the local government office of our client.  If you click here, you can hear a call recorded in Dubai and see what it sounds like.  The content of each prayer is prescribed for Muslims, who can pray any time from the call until it's time for the next prayer.

My new friend Imane was generous enough to allow me to watch her complete one of her prayers yesterday.  First, Muslims are required to wash the face (mouth, nose), hands, arms and feet.  Then, you stand at the edge of a small prayer rug facing in the direction of Mecca.  Next, you recite parts of the Koran as you stand, bend, prostrate (kneel and place forehead on floor), then return to standing.  Depending on the time of day, this sequence is repeated 3 or 4 times.  All major buildings are equipped with prayer rooms for the faithful to use.

It seems to me that pausing for several minutes throughout the day is a really nice way to be grateful and maintain a focus on what's really important.  I find hearing the call to prayer to be quite inspiring.  #ibmcsc uae