RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Hundreds of people gathered at the Grand Sapphire Hotel and Banqueting in Croydon, London, to celebrate the final days of Ramadan in a spirit of togetherness.

A diaspora from Takengon, Central Aceh, Yusradi Usman al-Gayoni, attended the two-day Ramadan Festival in London. “Alhamdulillah, I was able to lead the call to prayer at this two-day Ramadan festival,” he said via text message from London on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Yusradi initially came as a guest without plans to perform, joining the events while waiting to break his fast with other participants. “Moreover, yesterday was the last day of fasting in the UK, Thursday, March 19, 2026,” he explained.

About twelve minutes before the Maghrib call to prayer, the scheduled imam had not yet arrived. “I met with the hotel manager and told him that I could give the call to prayer if the imam wasn’t present,” Yusradi recalled.

As the time drew closer, the committee grew anxious. The hotel manager then instructed the organizers to ask Yusradi to perform the Maghrib call to prayer. Shortly afterward, he was asked to serve as muezzin in front of hundreds of festival participants.

At 6:15 p.m. local time, his voice filled the hotel hall with the distinctive Gayo chant, marking the end of the fast. “Alhamdulillah, the call to prayer went smoothly and solemnly,” he said.

Afterward, the room fell silent before participants and hotel staff expressed their appreciation. Several praised his voice, saying, “You have a very good voice. It was a beautiful call to prayer.”

For Yusradi, the experience was unforgettable. He had previously given the call to prayer at Luton Airport and Sutton Central Mosque while living in England. However, the Croydon moment felt different because it was unplanned and required courage. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)