Last week, Duke announced it would allow the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, to be sounded from the university’s bell tower, then promptly reversed its decision after a public outcry. Only days later, it has come to light that UCLA sounds the adhan weekly; Christian News Network says it is a practice that has been going on for “some time.”
A YouTube video posted Friday (Jan. 16) captures the adhan being called over the loudspeaker as Muslim students gather in front of a student activities center to pray.
Translated, the prayer says, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Allah is most great.”
UCLA also is homes to a Muslim newspaper as well as an Islamic Student Association.
Publication date: January 20, 2015