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BBC local radio stations to broadcast weekly Islamic prayer

The BBC has confirmed that Islamic prayers will broadcast weekly on 14 of its local radio stations, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting from Friday 3rd April, Muslims unable to visit their mosques due to coronavirus, will be able to tune into their local BBC radio station at 05:50. The stations taking part in the special broadcast are Leeds, Sheffield, Lancashire, WM, Leicester, Stoke, Derby, Nottingham, Coventry & Warwickshire, Three Counties, London, Merseyside and Berkshire.

Qari Asim MBE, a senior imam in Leeds, will lead the reflections. The weekly spot will be led by a different Muslim imam each week.

Chris Burns, Head of BBC Local Radio, said, “Many Muslims will feel a void in their lives where prayers used to be – a feeling the will be magnified as we approach Ramadan.

“Local radio is all about connecting communities and we hope these weekly reflections will go some way to helping Muslims feel a sense of community while they are isolating.”

The reflections will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds.

It is worth adding that a Christian service is broadcast on all 39 BBC local stations, every Sunday at 08:00.