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Amid Pandemic, Minneapolis Permits Mosque to Broadcast Call to Prayer During
Ramadan

Abdulaziz Osman

   WASHINGTON/MINNEAPOLIS - For the first time in history,theMuslim
   community in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis will hear
   the sound of "Adhan"--the call to prayer--over outdoor loudspeakers
   during the month of Ramadan,which is scheduledto begin
   ThursdaynightamidMinnesota's stay-at-home orderto fightthe coronavirus
   pandemic.
   MinneapolisMayor Jacob Frey announced the decision Tuesday afterissuing
   apermitallowing theDar Al-HijrahMosque to broadcastthedaily call to
   prayerfive times throughout the day usingfour loudspeakers placed
   outside the mosque.
   "In a time when physical distancing requires that we pray apart from
   one another. It's incumbent on all of us elected and community leaders
   to make sure that we can create a sense of togetherness,"Frey told VOA.
   The city granted the initiative aftertheMuslim community and the CAIR
   (CouncilonAmerican-Islamic Relations) made the request toensurepeople
   hear the sound,andtheypray at home.
   "This willbenefitthecommunity and willprovide a sense of joy and hope
   during this difficult time,"the mayorsaid.He said hehopes the daily
   broadcast will send a message that his city cares about Muslim
   communities during thisperiod.
   "We love you, you are part of this city,and we want you to be able to
   get through thishardtime with as much comfort and community and family
   as possible,"the mayor said.
   Sheikh Abdirahman Sharif, the imam oftheMdarAl-HjirahMosque,welcomed
   the decision andthanked the mayor of Minneapolis for allowing Muslims
   tohear the sound ofthecall prayer andtobe connected to their mosque.
   "It's a historic moment that a metropolitan city like Minneapolis
   offersapermittoa mosque to broadcastthecall to prayer," said Sharif.
   "The mayor has shown heroism. It'sanhonorfor us to be the first mosque
   in the USA to perform this, and we hope other cities should follow
   suite."
   The broadcastsfrom dawn to sunsetwill reach thousands of residents,most
   of them Muslims who are living near the mosque.
   Asked how non-Muslims living near the mosque will react to the Muslim
   call to prayer, the mayor says many different religions are able to
   practice in some way that requires sound.
   "Pretty much every religion out there celebrates in some form through
   sound. And we felt strongly and feel strongly that our Muslim community
   should be no different,"the mayor said.
   Iman Sharifsaid he does not believethe public call to prayer will not
   ignite any Islamophobic or anti-immigrants from neighborhoodsaround the
   mosque.
   "The plan was supportedbyneighboringchurches, and plus we believe when
   non-Muslim residents hear the sound of call to prayer,it will reduce
   their concern and stress against Muslims,"Sharif said.
   The Cedar-Riversideareais home to a large Muslim population from East
   Africa,who hope the sound of prayer will be a connector for those stuck
   at home because of COVID-19.

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