“Radio Muezzin,” a one-act documentary style play conceived by Swiis director Stefan Kaegi, was deemed too politically touchy an undertaking for Egyptians to embrace openly, according to the play’s promoters. While it cannot be seen in Cairo – the actual setting of the play itself – a performance was recently put on in Germany, funded by the Berlin mayor’s office and the German federal government.
The play explores the impacts of a city policy banning all but the 30 “best” voices from leading calls to prayer over mosque loudspeakers. It follows the lives of muezzins, who become forced to quit their jobs find new work, and the community members who would no longer hear them.
“Radio Muezzin” was as much about Germany promoting diverse voices as it was about Egypt’s silencing them. An abiding culture of tolerance and civility ranks high among Berlin’s traits, and despite Germany’s conflicts with immigrant Muslim populations, the applause from the was long and heartfelt. Berliners were clearly charmed by the touchingly awkward and mostly reluctant performers.
