Dearborn mayor says mosque call to prayer complaints ‘not an issue’

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Michigan, responded to noise complaints a few mosque’s name to prayer, saying it’s “not an issue.”

Hammoud mentioned the issues on the November 3 episode of the “Not from here” podcast. Native Dearborn residents have complained in latest months {that a} close by mosque broadcasts the decision to prayer over loudspeakers a number of occasions a day, beginning as early as 5:30 am.

Though residents expressed issues at a September metropolis council assembly, Hammoud emphasised that the decision to prayer is allowed under a sure decibel stage beneath metropolis ordinances and has been a part of life in Dearborn for many years.

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Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud has dismissed complaints towards a neighborhood mosque’s name to prayer. (Screenshot of town of Dearborn)

“I want to let you know that those that complain concerning the name to prayer, I imply, they’re only a few, you continue to wish to respect the desires and when you have a severe concern, I’ve to implement the legislation in any respect ranges,” Hammoud stated. “However we have now taken decibel measurements at these mosques, all inside the threshold worth, all inside the authorized restrict. And so it’s not an issue for me.”

He continued, “We should additionally uphold our constitutional rights to freedom of faith. And I might say this, you understand, that is what issues. I say this as a Muslim. Folks will in fact say this can be a name to prayer, however why are these complaints solely now popping out?”

“Sure, elections are coming,” famous host Jaafar Issa.

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Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud stated the mosque’s name to prayer didn’t violate metropolis ordinances concerning noise ranges. (Charly Tribelleau/Getty Pictures)

Hammoud didn’t reply on to that remark, however shrugged and repeated, “Calls to prayer have been happening in Dearborn for the reason that Seventies.”

The town ordinance states that noise in residential areas might not exceed 55 decibels at evening (after 10 p.m.) and 60 decibels in the course of the day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Loudspeakers are prohibited between 10:00 PM and seven:00 AM

Hammoud additionally stated that almost all mosques within the metropolis don’t name to prayer at “Fajr” or dawn, and in contrast the sound to church bells.

Fox Information Digital reached out to the mayor’s workplace for remark.

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Dearborn, Michigan resident Andrea Unger began a petition to strain town council to implement a noise ordinance after a neighborhood mosque broadcast its calls to prayer over a loudspeaker for 2 years. (Dearborn Metropolis Council by way of YouTube Screenshot)

Dearborn resident Andrea Unger, who has lived within the metropolis for 40 years, advised Fox Information Digital final month that she recorded the decision to prayer for 30 consecutive days and located it persistently exceeded 70 decibels. She stated she had raised her issues with police and town council over the previous two years, however the issue persevered.

She added that a few of her neighbors have been hesitant to talk out for worry of being labeled anti-Muslim.

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“I’ve heard lots of people say, ‘I am glad you stated one thing,’ as a result of persons are afraid of being labeled as ‘Islamophobic,’ like our mayor. [Abdullah H. Hammoud] known as [Dearborn resident and Christian minister] Ted Barham, since you disagree,” she stated. “We’re not Islamophobic, we aren’t anti-Muslim, we aren’t anti-Jewish. We simply wish to stay in the neighborhood that it has all the time been [before] one thing modified two years in the past to make this doable.”

Fox Information’ Kristine Parks contributed to this report.