• Call to prayer usually delivered from a mosque and relayed by loudspeaker
• Five calls a day but Channel 4 will only broadcast the morning call for the 30 days of Ramadan
• Broadcaster had been criticised in the past for giving airtime to extreme Islamist views

Channel 4 is to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer during Ramadan this year, it revealed yesterday.

It is believed to be the first time a mainstream British television channel has broadcast the Islamic call to prayer.

Starting next week, the broadcaster will transmit the morning call to prayer daily for the 30 days of Ramadan.

Morning call: Channel 4 will broadcast the first call to prayer for the 30 days of Ramadan. There are five calls to prayer each day

Channel 4’s head of factual programming Ralph Lee said the channel would act as a ‘nationwide tannoy system’ for Britain’s 2.8million Muslims while they observed Ramadan.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2353250/Channel-4-broadcast-daily-Muslim-prayer-Ramadan-month.html#ixzz2XsRVRZaZ

The first call to prayer will be around four in the morning.

I usually get up early to correspond with SE Asian clients during their working day, so am usually at my computer when the sun comes up. It's bright enough to work by 4.00 a.m.

The alternative,used in Scandinabian countries where the sun does not set in summer, is to take the timing of the nearest muslim country (I would guess Bulgaria or Bosnia) (or Bradford) which might change the timing slightly.

Anyway, if that is their intention it will not be noticed by most Brits. Who on earth watches Channel 4 in the mornings?

I always thought that the muslim month was a lunar month - therefore more likely to be 28 days than 30 days. Am I in error?

The Eid (Eid al Fitr) will follow the Holy month of Ramadan, but is not included in the fasting/feasting of the Ramadan day/night.

And of course it will include the sermon on "grooming" to keep the status quo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYIJInS4W9g

Will it make a difference or just appease the Liberals?

CCC

And of course it will include the sermon on "grooming" to keep the status quo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYIJInS4W9g

Will it make a difference or just appease the Liberals?

CCC

Provoke the Conservatives more like.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/channel-4-to-provoke-viewers-who-associate-islam-with-terrorism-with-live-call-to-prayer-during-ramadan-8682121.html

I expect Saudi TV will cover Easter next whilst Egyptian television opts for something more local like the fast of Yom Kippur.

The first call to prayer will be around four in the morning.

Actually, in the UK it'll be just before 5:30 a.m. this month.

In some countries there is a lot of tuneless wailing from the minarets for a couple of hours before the morning call to prayer - usually chantings from the Koran - sounds similar, but it's not the "call to prayer".

The first call to prayer will be around four in the morning.

I usually get up early to correspond with SE Asian clients during their working day, so am usually at my computer when the sun comes up. It's bright enough to work by 4.00 a.m.

The alternative,used in Scandinabian countries where the sun does not set in summer, is to take the timing of the nearest muslim country (I would guess Bulgaria or Bosnia) (or Bradford) which might change the timing slightly.

Anyway, if that is their intention it will not be noticed by most Brits. Who on earth watches Channel 4 in the mornings?

Who the hell watches it full stop?

Mr. Bear:

You are correct. The Hegira calendar is a lunar calendar and Ramadhan will begin when the first quarter moon is sighted in Saudi and the cannon is fired.

http://www.arabtranslators.org/atn_calendar/atn_calendar.htm

My missus has the call to prayer app on her galaxy tab.

Bloody annoying, but she follows it so good on her.

It used to be the case that during Ramadan rich Arabs would de -camp to London to avoid it.

It used to be the case that during Ramadan rich Arabs would de -camp to London to avoid it.

They are in London !

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Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Channel 4 hasn't been paid; paid programming doesn't exist in the UK for the traditional channels. It's simply a further example by the channel of attempting to appease a minority. It's a tradition they started on their very first day broadcasting. If I recall correctly, the first evening's TV was a "gay night". Though, to be fair, their original government mandate was to provide minority programming, so they're simply doing what they're required to do, however distasteful that may or may not be to the mainstream.

Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Channel 4 hasn't been paid; paid programming doesn't exist in the UK for the traditional channels. It's simply a further example by the channel of attempting to appease a minority. It's a tradition they started on their very first day broadcasting. If I recall correctly, the first evening's TV was a "gay night". Though, to be fair, their original government mandate was to provide minority programming, so they're simply doing what they're required to do, however distasteful that may or may not be to the mainstream.

Point taken, AyG. But, as you say, if the Government is funding them for minority programming, all they're doing is what the Government is paying them to do.

They're showing 'Ramadan Diaries' each night. It's just a 5 minute programme where they talk to ordinary Muslims about how they're preparing for Ramadan and what it means to them. I have no personal interest in Islam but the programmes are really interesting and it's nice to see ordinary folks explaining how much it means to them without Anjem Choudary or Daniel Pipes butting in.

Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Boater doesn't like Muslim prayer calls. isn't that reason enough?

Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Channel 4 hasn't been paid; paid programming doesn't exist in the UK for the traditional channels. It's simply a further example by the channel of attempting to appease a minority. It's a tradition they started on their very first day broadcasting. If I recall correctly, the first evening's TV was a "gay night". Though, to be fair, their original government mandate was to provide minority programming, so they're simply doing what they're required to do, however distasteful that may or may not be to the mainstream.

Point taken, AyG. But, as you say, if the Government is funding them for minority programming, all they're doing is what the Government is paying them to do.

They are a commercial station and receive no government funding.

Those who object to them doing this have a simple option. The same I have, and use, when any station broadcasts a programme I don't like; don't watch it!

Is there any reason why they shouldn't broadcast the call to prayer if someone has paid them for it?

Channel 4 hasn't been paid; paid programming doesn't exist in the UK for the traditional channels. It's simply a further example by the channel of attempting to appease a minority. It's a tradition they started on their very first day broadcasting. If I recall correctly, the first evening's TV was a "gay night". Though, to be fair, their original government mandate was to provide minority programming, so they're simply doing what they're required to do, however distasteful that may or may not be to the mainstream.

Point taken, AyG. But, as you say, if the Government is funding them for minority programming, all they're doing is what the Government is paying them to do.

They are a commercial station and receive no government funding.

Those who object to them doing this have a simple option. The same I have, and use, when any station broadcasts a programme I don't like; don't watch it!

Somebody is paying the bills. If not the government or a sponsor, who?

If you're compos mentis at 5.30 a.m., 7by7, would you turn the TV off for five minutes, and then turn it on again.... or would you just let it run,waiting impatiently for the next programme? I know what most people would do.

Somebody is paying the bills. If not the government or a sponsor, who?

Not the government. Channel 4 is funded primarily by advertising, with further money coming from programme sponsorship, selling of programmes to other TV companies, video sales and merchandising.

^^Put the kettle on.

As I posted on another thread some months ago - when I was working with Saudi Aramco all the computers had a function that notified the Muslims among us that it was coming up to prayer time by broadcasting a prayer call over the intranet. I couldn't turn this function off, and anyway I was in an office with two religious Saudis, so I got it in stereo up to five times a day, depending on mt working hours.

The great thing about Ramadan was that, with judicious timing, the streets of Jeddah (or Al Khobar) (or anywhere in the Middle East) were absolutely empty just after Maghrib call to prayer, when everyone was busy chomping on dates stuffed with almonds.

I had to fly quite often to various parts of Saudi and during Ramadan - at the time of breaking the fast - in most airports the ground staff would come around the entire departure lounge, serving these stuffed dates and cups of well-stewed tea, plus, in some instances, very sweet pastries. As I don't normally eat sweet things (I'm already too sweet) it was an effort to stuff these things down, but one must not be impolite, must one.

Also, in Jeddah, there was a tradition that on every third night (I think) all the devout muslims would drive to Mecca to pray at the Grand Mosque. This was considered to be very lucky and so on. The problem was that the road to/from Mecca was bloody dangerous. I have been driving on it at times (three lanes each way) when, being in the fourth lane, I was overtaken by some idiots trying to create a fifth lane. All this at speeds in excess of 120km/hr - the official, but never observed, speed limit.

In the dark, at around midnight, after days of fasting and feasting, praying and driving, going at 150 clicks to get home and eat more, there were an awful lot of crashes, many fatal. But as the guys had just been to the GM and were in a state of grace, they would have gone straight to Paradise. Just a few years too early.

If you're compos mentis at 5.30 a.m., 7by7, would you turn the TV off for five minutes, and then turn it on again.... or would you just let it run,waiting impatiently for the next programme? I know what most people would do.

Most days at 5.30 am, weekdays for sure, I'm already on the road to the site where I'll be working that day.

Unless, like today, I'm working from home.

If I were watching Channel 4 at that time I'd do what I do whenever I'm watching a commercial station and the adverts come on; either ignore them or channel surf for a few minutes; depending on how interested I am in the programme I'm watching.

I don't see a problem. No one is being tied to a chair and forced to watch it; are they?

If you're compos mentis at 5.30 a.m., 7by7, would you turn the TV off for five minutes, and then turn it on again.... or would you just let it run,waiting impatiently for the next programme? I know what most people would do.

Most days at 5.30 am, weekdays for sure, I'm already on the road to the site where I'll be working that day.

Unless, like today, I'm working from home.

If I were watching Channel 4 at that time I'd do what I do whenever I'm watching a commercial station and the adverts come on; either ignore them or channel surf for a few minutes; depending on how interested I am in the programme I'm watching.

I don't see a problem. No one is being tied to a chair and forced to watch it; are they?

It's a gradual progression, this time next year the program will be going head to head with"songs of praise" on Sunday BBC1 7.30pm.

CCC

Somebody is paying the bills. If not the government or a sponsor, who?

Not the government. Channel 4 is funded primarily by advertising, with further money coming from programme sponsorship, selling of programmes to other TV companies, video sales and merchandising.

As I have been trying to say, someone is paying for Channel 4 to broadcast the calls to prayer. Who?

No, 7by7, I don't see the problem either

Somebody is paying the bills. If not the government or a sponsor, who?

Not the government. Channel 4 is funded primarily by advertising, with further money coming from programme sponsorship, selling of programmes to other TV companies, video sales and merchandising.

As I have been trying to say, someone is paying for Channel 4 to broadcast the calls to prayer. Who?

No, 7by7, I don't see the problem either

The problems arise when the financier is outed.

Whilst I admit I have not paid much attention to this, I suspect that the decision to broadcast it was an editorial one and financed from Channel 4's own resources as described above.

If it's broadcast as a paid advertisement then I understand that the broadcaster has to make this clear; usually by means of a prominent on screen caption.

I suspect that some people are seeing a conspiracy where none exists.

As I have been trying to say, someone is paying for Channel 4 to broadcast the calls to prayer. Who?

You're rather missing the point. TV in the UK isn't funded on the basis of "one person pays for one programme". The call to prayer programme is funded by a general pool of cash coming from advertisers and the TV company's commercial activities. (There's been no suggestion of a sponsor for this programme.)

It would, frankly, be less disturbing to learn that some Islamic group were paying for this event than to know that Channel 4 has entered into dhimmitude and is so keen to appease the Moslem immigrants in the UK.

In fact, all it seems to be is Channel 4 using its own resources to fulfill the Government requirement to broadcast minority items. In which case, there was absolutely no issue to raise in the first place.

If you're compos mentis at 5.30 a.m., 7by7, would you turn the TV off for five minutes, and then turn it on again.... or would you just let it run,waiting impatiently for the next programme? I know what most people would do.

Most days at 5.30 am, weekdays for sure, I'm already on the road to the site where I'll be working that day.

Unless, like today, I'm working from home.

If I were watching Channel 4 at that time I'd do what I do whenever I'm watching a commercial station and the adverts come on; either ignore them or channel surf for a few minutes; depending on how interested I am in the programme I'm watching.

I don't see a problem. No one is being tied to a chair and forced to watch it; are they?

No but you are paying for it, by buying Channel 4 advertisers products

Then if you object so much; boycott companies who advertise in Channel 4!

There are many programmes on all the commercial stations which I don't care for and don't watch; but I'm not going to stop buying Weetabix because they advertise during commercial breaks in those programmes.

The only broadcaster we are forced to contribute to, whether we watch their programmes or not, is the BBC via the licence fee; but that's a different argument.