Islamic prayer timings have been meticulously structured into specific intervals, designed to provide spiritual discipline and obedience within the community. Muslims perform daily prayers (Salah in Arabic) at a particular time linked to daily astronomical events, especially by the position of the Sun in the sky. There are mainly five major prayers – Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (afternoon), Asr (late afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night) – which happens at a certain time to get in direct touch with the almighty.
Fajr is the first of the five daily Islamic prayers, performed at dawn before sunrise. Dhuhr is the second prayer performed when the sun begins its decline from zenith. Asr is the late afternoon prayer while Maghrib is performed just after sunset. Isha is the night prayer performed after the twilight disappears.
Here are the prayer timings of five major US cities on October 31 (Friday) as per Islamic Society of North America:
New York
- Fajr: 6:09 AM
- Dhuhr: 12:40 PM
- Asr: 3:29 PM
- Maghrib: 5:53 PM
- Isha: 7:10 PM
Los Angeles
- Fajr: 6:02 AM
- Dhuhr: 12:37 PM
- Asr: 3:37 PM
- Maghrib: 6:01 PM
- Isha: 7:11 PM
Chicago
- Fajr: 6:04 AM
- Dhuhr: 12:34 PM
- Asr: 3:21 PM
- Maghrib: 5:45 PM
- Isha: 7:03 PM
Houston
- Fajr: 6:28 AM
- Dhuhr: 1:05 PM
- Asr: 4:12 PM
- Maghrib: 6:35 PM
- Isha: 7:42 PM
Phoenix (Arizona)
- Fajr: 5:37 AM
- Dhuhr: 12:12 PM
- Asr: 3:14 PM
- Maghrib: 5:37 PM
- Isha: 6:46 PM
In 2020, the Muslim population was estimated at around 4.5 million in the US. There are several representations of Muslims in America as they come from over 75 countries, with a significant number coming from South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
