A recent study found that listening to the “Adhan”, or Islamic call to prayer, significantly improves psychological well-being. The study was conducted on a broad range of people, with varying religious beliefs and backgrounds, many of whom could not speak Arabic.
Or so claims one incessantly chatty, coffee loving, Algerian / Australian taxi driver.
Whether or not his facts bear any truth is mildly irrelevant; tourists and expats in Islamic countries have been discussing this concept since forever. There’s talk of an initial fear, that first morning they’re roused by unexpected moans drifting through their bedroom window, but it’s seemingly always replaced by a peculiar and hypnotising calm.
Perhaps the Adhan provides travellers with a reminder they’re somewhere exotic. Or maybe it spurs the comforting realisation that others have a faith so strong, it pulls them out of bed before the rest of the world can even fathom opening an eyelid?
Or maybe it’s just a nice harmony with mysterious words…
SAVING FOR CUBA 
Interesting post! I was just at a wedding in New York city where the ceremony was held at a Zen temple. There was chanting in prose that I didn’t understand – yet I found it soothing and enlightening! So I can understand how this prayer might also have similar affects!
Interesting post! I was just in New York City for a wedding, where the ceremony took place at a Zen temple. There was chanting in prose I didn’t understand, yet I found it soothing and enlightening! I would imagine that the Islamic prayer has the same uplifting affects!
What an amazing experience! Thanks for the comment Zoetic.