Adhan Echoes Through Central London

Just steps away from the bustling crowds of Oxford Street, a unique sonic sanctuary has taken root in central London. Lebanese-American artist and composer Joe Namy has brought his multi-channel sound installation, Cosmic Breath, to the UK capital, filling the space with the sacred call to prayer adhan.

In a period marked by a rise in Islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-Muslim prejudice, bringing the installation to London serves as a powerful gesture. Namy designed the space as a sanctuary where visitors can rest, reflect, and experience faith through art. He was deeply moved by the realization that "at any moment in time on Earth, there is an adhan happening somewhere on this planet, which I think is such a really powerful and beautiful gesture."

Minaret Speakers and Field Recordings

The installation features minaret-style horn speakers that play recordings of the adhan collected from around the world across more than a century. Rather than using sterile studio tracks, many selections are authentic street and field recordings, capturing the ambient background sounds, acoustic environments, and atmosphere of the cities where they were called.

During quiet moments, each speaker softly emits a different recording, allowing visitors to compare regional recitation styles side by side. At prayer times, the volume rises, uniting the voices into a single global chorus.

Key Adhan Recordings Featured in the Installation

• Makkah, Saudi Arabia (Late 1800s): The earliest known recording of the call to prayer at the Grand Mosque.
• Singapore (1930s): Recorded at Sultan Mosque, believed to be the first mosque to use loudspeakers.
• The Philippines (1950s): One of the earliest documented archival recordings of the adhan in the country.
• London, UK (2020): Recorded in Walthamstow during lockdown, marking the area’s first public adhan.
• Jerusalem: Captures the call to prayer from the historic Al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Tbilisi, Georgia: A highly melodic recitation filled with vocal embellishments.
• Algeria: Recorded in a Sahrawi refugee camp, showcasing a traditional voice without speakers or amplifiers.
• Japan: An intimate recording of an individual reciting the adhan outdoors into a forest.
• Khartoum, Sudan: Highlights a unique, traditional Sudanese style of recitation.
• Durban, South Africa: Recorded during a 2020 interfaith car parade protest against local restrictions on the adha

Through these historical audio archives and street recordings, Cosmic Breath connects listeners to a global tradition of faith, resilience, and unity.

Source: Anadolu Agency