The broadcasts will take place at 3am every day during the month of Ramadan, with the remaining prayer calls appearing during the day on channel4.com.
Channel 4’s head of factual programming told the Radio Times that the channel was continuing in its mission to “provide space for the alternative and a voice to the under-represented,” and that it was intended to be “a deliberate ‘provocation'”
“Following the horrific events in Woolwich and subsequent reprisals against British Muslims, there has surely never been a more pressing need to give a voice to the moderate mainstream majority.
“And let’s not forget that Islam is one of the few religions that’s flourishing, actually increasing in the UK. Like Channel 4’s target audience, its followers are young. It’s recently been reported that half of British Muslims are under 25.”
The Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, South London
A spokesman for The Muslim Council of Great Britain told The Guardian: “This is a very special month for Muslims and its recognition on a mainstream channel is not only symbolic for belonging and solidarity but will hopefully help to portray a more realistic account of Islam and Muslims.”
The president of the National Secular Society, Terry Sanderson, told the BBC “It seems reasonable that there should be some acknowledgment on TV of the needs of the growing Muslim population in Britain, although one can’t help wondering whether this is just another of Channel Four’s publicity-seeking stunts.”
Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad – a time for Muslims to reflect, pray, practice self-discipline and fast from dawn until sunset.
