Voices of Cairo

A short film created as part of the project entitled Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo

This film was created from footage gathered during a Pre-Production trip in Cairo August 17-26, 2009. Intended to act as a calling card/fundraising piece for the next stage of the project.

Voices of Cairo was made possible by the Hartley Film Foundation and is Directed by Miguel Silveira

Copyright © 2009 On Look Films, LLC All rights reserverd


Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo

A documentary about a 1400 year old oral tradition that is about to be erased forever from the audioscape of Cairo.

Five times each day, muezzins cry out the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, from the thousands of mosques in Cairo, calling believers to each of the five daily prayers.

The institution of muezzin has existed since the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The acts of the muezzin are considered an art form, reflected in the melodious chanting of the adhan. The professional muezzin is chosen to serve at the mosque for his good character, voice and skills. Although the tradition of the adhan dates back to the seventh century, recordings are limited and contain no pertinent information for future generations.

Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo tells the story of the adhan in the ancient metropolis of Cairo, introducing the muezzins of this generation, and recording the adhans they recite.

In 2010, the government plans to systemize the call to prayer with the Tawheed Al Adhan, or the Adhan Unification Project. Under this plan, the daily symphony of countless diverse voices will be reduced to a single pre-recorded call broadcast throughout the entire city using wireless receivers. It is necessary to document and honor this tradition before it ceases to exist.

Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo creates a visual and aural portrait of a soon-to-be-lost ancient tradition in the modern world.

Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo is a fiscally sponsored project of the Hartley Film Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization which cultivates and supports the best documentaries on world religions and spirituality.

Visit http://www.hartleyfoundation.org/en/voices-and-faces-of-adhan-cairo to learn more about Hartley and Voices and Faces of the Adhan: Cairo and other films. Hartley's fiscal sponsorship allows donors to make tax deductible donations at the link above.

To Help Make This Film, Please Donate Today at http://www.hartleyfoundation.org/en/voices-and-faces-of-adhan-cairo

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Miguel
• Silveira
• Anna
• Kipervaser
• Hassan
• Mustafa
• Rodion
• Galperin
• Jeremy
• Johnson
• Dustin
• Majewski
• Sandra
• Kofler
• Yoni
• Goldstein
• On
• Look
• Films
• Voices
• of
• Cairo
• Egypt
• Muezzins
• Adhan
• Ehsan
• Ghoreishi
• Meredith
• Zielke
• Ryan
• Chindlund
• Catfish
• Ahmed
• Rasheed
• Hartley
• Film
• Foundation