Channel 4 aims for "deliberate provocation" by broadcasting Ramadan call to prayer
Channel 4 has announced its plan to engage in what it describes as an act of "deliberate provocation" by broadcasting the Muslim call to prayer each day during Ramadan.
Ramadan commences on 9 July
The traditional call to prayer is issued from Mosque minarets five times daily. Channel 4 aims to broadcast the call to prayer at 3.00am, and follow up by interrupt programming a further four times on the first day of Ramadan, reminding viewers of the approaching prayer time.
"The calls to prayer prompt Muslims to carry out quiet moments of worship, but hopefully they'll also make other viewers sit up and notice that this event is taking place,” said Ralph Lee, Channel 4's head of factual programming.
"Observing the adhan on Channel 4 will act as a nationwide tannoy system, a deliberate 'provocation' to all our viewers in the very real sense of the word," he added.
"No doubt Channel 4 will be criticised for focusing attention on a 'minority' religion but that's what we're here to do – provide space for the alternative and a voice to the under-represented.
"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."