Waltham Forest mosques to broadcast daily 5 minute call to prayer during Ramadan 

Waltham Forest mosques have been given permission to broadcast daily calls to prayer during Ramadan.

The call to prayer, Adhaan, will be played at sunset to announce the end of that day’s fast and at 1pm on Fridays to mark a prayer at this time.

The council gave permission for the Adhaan to be broadcast publicly for the first time in the borough on May 4.

Leader of Waltham Forest Council, Clare Coghill said: “The holy month of Ramadan is normally a time for the Muslim community to come together to pray and break their fast.

“The Council considered the request as it would with any religious or faith group looking to responsibly worship during this difficult time. Ramadan Mubarak to all our Muslim community.”

Permission was requested by the Waltham Forest Council of Mosques, who state on their Facebook page that they represent more than 70,000 muslim worshippers.

Meanwhile, English churches remain shut, with no bells ringing, not on a Sunday for worship, nor on a Thursday during the weekly 'clap for carers'. The Central Council for Bell Ringers have said: "We have received many requests to ring church bells in support of acknowledging key workers across the UK but given the need for social distancing and non essential travel, as well as churches being shut, this has not been possible."