Iran Bars Overflights During Call-To-Prayer Times

The New York Times reported yesterday that Iran's Civil Aviation Organization has issued a directive prohibiting all aircraft from flying across the country during Adhan, the 5-times daily Muslim call for prayer. However the directive did not indicate whether planes in flight would be re-routed or forced to land.  Also under the new directive, no planes may take off in the morning until 30 minutes after the pre-dawn call to prayer. The head of the Civil Aviation Organization said the new rules were designed to give air travelers the time to carry out their religious duties. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]