JEDDAH: Calls to prayer heard from the Grand Mosque known as Masjid Al-Haram resonate across Makkah every day.
The pilgrims and people of Makkah are able to recognize the voice of every muezzin, the man whose voice can be heard calling Muslims to prayer via loud speakers at the top of each mosque's minarets.
Saudi state news agency SPA, spoke to the muezzin of Masjid Al-Haram, Sheikh Ali Ahmad Mulla. He is considered one of the most famous muezzins at the Grand Mosque for the past 40 years.
He said there are 20 main muezzins at the mosque and four trainees.
Mulla said every muezzin has his own style, they call to prayer and recite after the imam whilst praying the five obligatory prayers, as well as the Tarwaeeh and funeral prayers.
There is always a substitute muezzin in case of absence or emergency.
Mulla, named as the Sheikh of Muezzins, has worked at the Grand Mosque since 1975.
His unique voice is recognized by most guests that visit the masjid in Makkah.
At the age of 14, Mulla practiced the call to prayer from the minaret of Bab Al-Zeyada in the Grand Mosque. Then he moved to the minaret at Bab Al-Mahkma, and after a period of time, he became the muezzin for the entire mosque.
Mulla said they use a calendar-type clock according to Makkah’s local time in order to call for prayer at the exact times.
He said such modern inventions have contributed to advancing these matters, adding that the greatest modern tools are being applied to the Grand Mosque to facilitate tasks.
Call to Prayer: Muezzins of the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Call to Prayer: Muezzins of the Grand Mosque in Makkah
