Under a two-year initiative between the city of Cologne and 35 masājid, the right to broadcast the adhān was approved in October 2021. Exactly a year later and Islam21c is happy to share the news that Cologne (and Germany’s) largest mosque, the Cologne Central Mosque (Zentralmoschee Köln), will begin broadcasting the call to prayer every Friday. The welcome development comes after an agreement was reached between city authorities and dozens of mosques in the locality that is home to approximately 100,000 Muslims. [1] [2]
Abdurrahman Atasoy, the general secretary of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (better known as DİTİB), which runs the mosque, said, “We’re very happy.” [2] Henriette Reker, the independent mayor of Cologne, said of the initiative, “Permitting the muezzin call is for me a sign of respect.” [3]
In remarks following the start of the city’s two-year model project in October 2021, the pro-immigration politician and lawyer said,
“I am pleased that we are taking into account the legitimate religious interests of the many Muslims in our cosmopolitan city with this model project, so that we are setting an example of mutual acceptance of religion and making a commitment to religious freedom, which is protected by the Basic Law – but also the interests of the people living here as Muslims.” [4]
The city’s mayor further added that Muslims are part of the fabric that makes up Cologne. She criticised anyone who suggests that Muslims do not belong in the city.
“Muslims, many of whom were born here, are an integral part of Cologne’s urban society. Anyone who doubts this is questioning Cologne’s identity and our peaceful coexistence. When we hear the call of the muezzin in addition to the church bells in our city, it shows that diversity is valued and lived in Cologne.” [1]
2015 assassination attempt on Cologne mayor
For a number of years, Henriette Reker has been on the receiving end of a barrage of abuse from xenophobes and other extremists for her willingness to engage with the Muslim community; for being the person responsible at city-level for the approval of adhān broadcasting on Fridays for its 35 mosques; and for having a welcoming attitude towards refugees and immigrants.
Her beliefs nearly led to her death, as she was involved in an assassination attempt the day prior to her election in late 2015.
On Saturday, 17 October 2015, an assailant seriously wounded Reker by stabbing her in the neck with a large 30-centimetre knife; she was subsequently in a coma for a number of days and later expressed fears that she would be permanently paralysed as a result of the stabbing.
The attacker was named as 45-year-old Frank S. (the full name is restricted from public knowledge owing to German privacy law). A court convicted the former neo-Nazi 45-year-old of attempted murder and he was sentenced to 14 years behind bars. During his trial, he admitted to prosecutors that he attacked Reker due to her pro-refugee stance. [5]
In delivering the sentence for Frank S. in July 2016, the presiding judge, Barbara Havliza, said,
“He wanted to send a signal to the federal government about refugee policy… He wanted to create a climate of fear, and influence policy.” [5]
Hasten to prayer; hasten to success
The Cologne Central Mosque is a uniquely designed building with around 48,000ft2 of space. With the architectural work carried out by the late Gottfried Böhm and his son Paul Böhm, the building was opened in 2018 and features two minarets and a dome. In addition, it makes distinctive use of glass walls and has capacity for 2,000 to 4,000 worshippers.
In line with the agreed terms of the project, the adhān will be called each Friday, between the hours of 12:00 and 15:00, for a maximum period of five minutes and at a maximum volume of 60 decibels.
Alḥamdulillāh; the city’s Muslim population can now enjoy the comfort of hearing the call to prayer for Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah (the communal Friday prayer).
For those who wish to visit the mosque, the address is as follows:
Central Mosque Cologne
Venloer Strasse 160
50823 Cologne
Germany
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.stadt-koeln.de/politik-und-verwaltung/presse/mitteilungen/23920/index.html
[2] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cologne-central-mosque-to-start-calling-muslims-to-prayer/a-63430665
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/11/germanys-largest-mosque-to-broadcast-call-to-prayer-on-fridays
[4] https://moscheeforum.de/gebetsruf/
[5] https://www.dw.com/en/man-who-stabbed-mayor-of-cologne-sentenced-to-14-years-in-jail/a-19371698
