ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to foster religious harmony, the federal government has sanctioned a uniform system for Azan (call to prayer) and congregational prayer schedules across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The decision was finalized during a high-level consultative session led by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf. The meeting saw the participation of prominent religious scholars from diverse schools of thought, along with representatives from the business sector, who collectively agreed on the proposed timetable.
Minister Yousaf announced that a consolidated calendar outlining the standardized Azan and prayer timings will be issued shortly. The government’s efforts to introduce legislative measures for nationwide adoption of this unified schedule are already in progress through the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Highlighting the broader impact, Sardar Yousaf pointed out that once successfully implemented in the capital region, the system is expected to influence practices across all provinces. Traders in the twin cities have shown strong support, expressing their willingness to voluntarily close shops after the Azan to ensure timely participation in prayers.
Additionally, the government is considering launching the unified prayer timetable starting with Friday prayers as a pilot project, with plans for wider rollout soon. The initiative aims to reinforce religious unity and promote a cohesive Muslim community across Pakistan.
