From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Pope’s mass interrupted by mosque’s call to prayer
The Muslim call to prayer from the Mosque of Omar on Manger Square in Bethlehem interrupted Pope Francis’ mass outside the Church of the Nativity.
According to Israel Radio reporter Gal Berger, the Christian crowd responded to the muezzin’s call with whistles and shouts, and the choral music was turned up in order to drown it out. Army Radio reports the calls of “God is Great” in Arabic were met with cheers of “Viva Il Papa” by the Christians.
The mosque, a symbol of religious coexistence, was built where Omar Ibn El Khattab, a successor to Mohammed, visited Bethlehem in 637 after issuing an edict pledging safety to all Christians and clergy and respect for their shrines. The mosque stands opposite the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square.
כנסיית המולד בית לחם: קול המואזין ממסגד עומר הפריע למיסה שערך האפיפיור. הקהל הנוצרי הגיב בשריקות וקריאות רמות והמוזיקה הוגברה כדי להאפיל.
— Gal Berger גל ברגר (@galberger) May 25, 2014
The Times of Israel Community.