MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Minneapolis will allow broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours, becoming the first major U.S. city to allow the announcement or “adhan” to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round.
The Minneapolis City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to amend the city’s noise ordinance, which had prevented dawn and late evening calls at certain times of the year due to noise restrictions, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. The vote came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“The Constitution doesn’t sleep at night,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after the vote. He said the action in Minneapolis shows the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.”
Minneapolis has had a flourishing population of East African immigrants since at least the 1990s, and mosques now are common. Three of 13 members of the council identify as Muslim. The decision drew no organized community opposition. Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to sign the measure next week.
“Minneapolis has become a city for all religions,” said Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid An-Nur mosque in Minneapolis, who was among several Muslim leaders who witnessed the vote.
Three years ago, city officials worked with the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque to allow the adhan to be broadcast outdoors five times daily during Ramadan. Prayers are said when light appears at dawn, at noon, at mid- to late afternoon, at sunset and when the night sky appears. In Minnesota, dawn arrives as early as before 5:30 a.m. in summer, while sunset at the solstice happens after 9 p.m.
The city allowed year-round broadcasts last year, but only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. — typically excluding early morning prayer and sometimes night prayer.
At a recent public hearing, Christian and Jewish leaders expressed support for extending the hours for the adhan.
Council Member Lisa Goodman, who on Thursday was observing the final day of Passover, said the Jewish call to prayer — which is generally spoken rather than broadcast — doesn’t face legal restrictions. Observers said church bells regularly toll for Christians.
“It’s something I grew up with, but not my children,” council member Jamal Osman said, adding that hearing the call to prayer from local mosques brings him joy.
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“The Constitution doesn’t sleep at night,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after the vote. He said the action in Minneapolis shows the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.” Boy, I wonder if Christians in Minneapolis, will be allowed to use loud speakers five times a day in Minneapolis? We all know the answer to that, don’t we Jaylani Hussein??????????
The Democrats and the ACLU forced all public schools to stop reciting the “pledge of allegiance and the Lords prayer” for their concept of Separation of church and State. But now this Democrat ruled city is forcing all residents of Minneapolis to be subjected to the Muslim call to prayer, five times a day. Where is the Democrats Separation of Church and State now????
Good point scruffy. WHERE ARE THE ANTI religion nuts, suing for THIS BEING against the separation of church and state??
Simple. Just set their phone or watches.
Seriously they have an app for that.
Minneapolis is just transitioning to Mogadishu.
I call that Disturbing the peace.
Minnisomila appears to be in full compliance of anything Islamic.
Its become little mogadischu
I am NOT a Muslim, so why do they think it would be ok to disturb and abuse my rights 5 Times a day. If you are Muslim , and need reminding of your prayer times have your Muslim community purchase a phone or watch that can be set to remind you!
So these Muslims didn’t come to America to Assimilate to America’s Life and Values but to make Americans to Assimilate to Their way of life.
They fled their Country for a reason so don’t bring your ****** to US.
That has always been MY GRIPE.. WHY come here, if you are JUST GOING TO TURN AROUND and try to make this nation JUST LIKE THE ONE You fled from?
LOOK OUT , the next will be coming soon “Sharia Law”! NO WAY NEVER! NOW that would be a big problem.
IIRC they already TRIED To get a court to let them have their own Sharia law courts in one state, but the court THANKFULLY shot it down iirc…
The Founders didn’t foresee radical Muslims.
Did you know that noise laws have been used to stop Christian churches from ringing bells? Now that noise is approved I urge every church to invest in a set of beautiful bells.
BUT as we see in many things these days. IF IT Supports islam, its allowed. IF IT supports Christians/catholics, its denied..
At a recent public hearing, Christian and Jewish leaders expressed support for extending the hours for the adhan.
Christian leaders? I have been attending churches since I was born. I have never had a “leader” but ONE. The more organised they get the further off the Path they have to meet.
As a Lutheran, I’m concerned all the famously hard-working Lutherans who made the Midwest such a good place to live have all been euthanized….
I lived just outside Minneapolis in high school in the 1970’s. It was one of the most beautiful places in the country to live. Now, I wouldn’t even drive through the state. My remaining friends from high school – good, Christian girls – have actually bought into this nonsense. I can only assume they’ve put something in the water…