One Voice, One Prayer: Federal Govt Approves Unified Azan Timings for Twin Cities. -

In a significant move to foster religious harmony and unity, the federal government has officially approved a unified Azan and congregational prayer timetable for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The decision was finalized during a consultative meeting led by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf.

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

Consensus-Based Decision: The schedule was developed with unanimous agreement from scholars of all schools of thought (Masalik) and local business representatives.
Phased Implementation: The project will begin with a pilot phase focusing on Friday prayers before being implemented for all five daily prayers.
Legislative Support: The government is already working on legislation to extend this unified model across the entire country to ensure standardization.
Trade Community Support: Local traders have pledged to close their shops immediately upon the call of Azan to respect the congregational prayer times.
Twin City Sync: The timings in Rawalpindi will now be perfectly synchronized with Islamabad, removing the confusion of multiple Azans at different intervals.

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, who resumed his role as Federal Minister in March 2025, emphasized that this initiative serves as a blueprint for national unity and strengthens the spiritual bond among citizens.