Should the Duke Chapel call the adhan?

The adhan, or the call to prayer, is an important reminder called from the minarets of mosques for Muslims to congregate and perform their prayers. 

However, should calls to prayer be reserved for their respective religious buildings? Looking at the Hagia Sophia, the function of the building determines if there are any calls to prayer. In 2020, the Hagia Sophia called the adhan for the first time after 86 years of silence as a museum. It was only when the Hagia Sophia started functioning as a mosque that it began calling the adhan. Similarly, an actively functioning Christian church calling the Muslim adhan confuses the purpose of the church. The request for a church to function as a mosque disagrees with its purpose, and vice versa. 

In choosing to not call the adhan, is the Duke Chapel excluding the Muslim community? The word “exclude” has become blacklisted in modern vernacular, however, it is the crux to creating a community. The definition of a community relies on sharing an identity, experience, ideology, and so on, so anyone who does not share them would be excluded from the community. This is not inherently evil; instead, it is a beautiful demonstration of diversity. There is no attack or fear of the Muslim community in not calling the adhan from the Chapel; it is instead respecting its function as a Christian place of worship and refraining from encroaching on the functions of a mosque. 

Still, even if not from the Duke Chapel, hearing the adhan for Muslims on campus is an important reminder for them to take a moment from worldly stresses and refocus on spiritual blessings and praise. Therefore, just as Christians on campus hear the church bells on Sundays from the Chapel, Muslims should receive the call to prayer from their place of worship during Ramadan to denote sunset and the breaking of their daily fast. This would be a meaningful gesture for Duke and Muslims on campus during this month of fasting, reflection and community.

Erin Dickerson is a Trinity sophomore, and Yi-Chyun Wong is a Pratt junior.