The Muslim call to prayer will be broadcast continuously in Minneapolis, making it the first significant American city to let the announcement, known as the “adhan,” to be made over speakers five times each day, throughout the year.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minneapolis City Council overwhelmingly decided Thursday to change the city’s noise law, which had barred morning and late-evening calls during specific periods of the year owing to noise limits. Ramadan, a sacred month for Muslims, was when the voting took place.
After the vote, Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Minnesota branch, declared that the Constitution “doesn’t sleep at night.” The Minneapolis incident, he claimed, demonstrates to the rest of the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.”
Since at least the 1990s, there has been a thriving East African immigrant community in Minneapolis, and mosques are now widespread. The council’s 13 members include three Muslims. There was no organized community protest to the decision. Next week, the bill is anticipated to be signed by Mayor Jacob Frey.
“Minneapolis has become a city for all religions,” declared Imam Mohammed Dukuly of the Minneapolis Masjid An-Nur mosque, who was one of several Muslim officials present during the voting.
Three years ago, the Dar Al-Hijrah mosque and the municipal government collaborated to make it possible for the adhan to be broadcast five times each day outside during Ramadan. At dawn, noon, mid-to-late afternoon, sunset, and when the night sky is visible, prayers are performed. In Minnesota, sunrise may occur as early as 5:30 a.m. in the summer, while around the solstice, sunset occurs after 9 p.m.
Last year, the city permitted year-round broadcasts, but only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., which often excluded early morning prayer and occasionally night prayer.
Christian and Jewish authorities supported extending the adhan’s hours during a recent public hearing.
Councilwoman Lisa Goodman, who on Thursday was marking the last day of Passover, stated that there are no legal limitations on the Jewish call to prayer, which is often spoken rather than broadcast. Church bells are heard routinely for Christians, according to observers.
Jamal Osman, a council member, stated, “It’s something I grew up with, but not my children.” He also claimed that hearing the call to prayer from nearby mosques makes him happy.
