Minneapolis, a city in the state of Minnesota, has become the first major city in the United States to approve the use of a Muslim call to prayer, known as the adhan, during the dawn prayer. The decision was made by the Minneapolis City Council on April 24, 2020, and has been hailed as a historic moment for the Muslim community in the United States.
The adhan is a traditional Islamic call to prayer that is recited five times a day by Muslims around the world. It is typically recited from a mosque’s minaret or loudspeaker system and serves as a reminder for Muslims to stop what they are doing and pray. The adhan is a beautiful and melodic call that is often heard in Muslim-majority countries, but it is not commonly heard in Western countries.
The decision to allow the adhan in Minneapolis was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many mosques around the world to close their doors to worshippers. With mosques closed, many Muslims have been unable to hear the adhan and have been forced to pray at home without the traditional call to prayer.
In order to address this issue, the Minneapolis City Council approved a temporary measure that allows mosques in the city to broadcast the adhan during the dawn prayer using loudspeakers. The measure will remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions from both Muslims and non-Muslims. Some have praised the decision as a step towards greater religious tolerance and inclusivity, while others have criticized it as a violation of noise ordinances and an infringement on non-Muslims’ rights.
However, supporters of the decision argue that the adhan is no different from other religious calls to prayer that are already allowed in many cities across the United States. For example, church bells are commonly heard in many American cities, and Jewish communities are allowed to sound the shofar, a traditional Jewish instrument, during religious holidays.
Furthermore, the decision to allow the adhan in Minneapolis is not unprecedented. In 2019, the city of Hamtramck, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to allow the adhan to be broadcast from loudspeakers five times a day. Hamtramck has a large Muslim population and is home to several mosques.
Overall, the decision by the Minneapolis City Council to allow the adhan during the dawn prayer is a significant moment for the Muslim community in the United States. It represents a step towards greater religious tolerance and inclusivity, and it allows Muslims to practice their faith more fully during a time when many are unable to attend mosques in person. While there may be some controversy surrounding the decision, it is ultimately a positive development for religious freedom in the United States.
