Detroit Suburb Expected to Allow Muslim Prayer Calls on Loudspeakers
“The City Council of Hamtramck, Michigan, (suburb of Detroit) has given preliminary approval to a mosque's plans to send out the Muslim call to prayer on loudspeakers. The Bangladeshi al-Islah mosque wants to air the Arabic call to prayer via loudspeakers five times a day, but has agreed not to air them between 10:00 at night and 6:00 in the morning.”
Here is one of those issues that falls into the gray zone of life for me, that I hate to admit. On one hand, I believe we should be able to freely express our beliefs, especially those beliefs that run as deep as religion does in many hearts. This is not to say that anyone should be able to say anything at anytime, without consequence, but at least we have the right to express our ideas. Regardless of how I feel about Islam, there is no question that many people in this country and around the world believe in this religion. As such, I understand that the call to prayer is part of the practice of this religion.
English translation of the Call to Worship:
"God is great" (four times);
"I testify there is no other God but God" (twice);
"I testify Muhammad is the messenger of God" (twice);
"Come and pray" (twice);
"Come and flourish" (twice);
"God is great "(twice);
"There is no God but God" (once).
Translation by Masud Khan, secretary of Al-Islah Islamic Center, Hamtramck
Being Christian, I have thought about the Christian equivalent to the call to prayer and I’m still uncertain if there really is one. I do know that bells ringing at a church are not that equivalent. They do not preach the Gospel as they ring and as such, express no such tenant of the Christian faith. This is in contrast to what the Muslim call to prayer outlines. The only thing that comes close to this is the freedom of Christians to peacefully gather in public and pray (as long as it’s not in school).
That being said, they are not broadcasting this prayer or these beliefs out to the community. There is no loudspeakers attached to churches broadcasting the pastor’s Sunday morning sermon out the community. People have the right to attend church or not, to be a part of a body of believers or to stay away. That choice is being taken away from the people of Hamtramck that do not believe in the religion of Islam.
This is a dangerous precedent that is being set in this suburb, which could pave the way for anyone that claims a religious tenant being allowed to step outside the law of the land and being granted special privileges. I realize this occurs to some degree or another throughout our country with exemptions, but I do not believe these exemptions directly affect the public in such a way.
What would happen if you replace "I testify Muhammad is the messenger of God" in the call to prayer with "I testify Jesus is the Christ and Son of God"? Wouldn’t there be a huge media blitz and outcry against this? Wouldn’t the ACLU be all over this like a bum on a ham sandwich? (By the way, if there are any bums that are reading this that are offended at that comment, I would be more than happy to make you a ham sandwich!) I wonder what the response would be if there is a Jewish community nearby? I have yet to read anything about the Jewish community responding to this. Ask them if they believe Islam is a religion of peace.
I can’t say that I believe with all my heart that Muslims should not be able to broadcast their call to prayer, but I certainly can’t support it either. I have serious doubts about this “religion of peace”, and as such could not imagine supporting an idea that evangelizes a community with this false teaching. Still this is a murky issue for me and I’m sure smarter people than I could provide a deeper understanding of the issues at play here.
Various Articles for information gathering purposes only; draw your own conclusions at your own risk:
Via The Detroit News - Cultures collide in diverse Hamtramck
Via Detroit Free Press - It's Christian bells vs. Muslim prayer calls
Via The Detroit News - Call to prayer fuels debate on noise, religion
Via IslamOnline.net - Michigan Town To Hear Muslim Call To Prayer
First of all, religion of peace is an oxymoron. Example, the christian Crusades going on right now in the Middle East.
Second of all, how are prayer calls any different than christians on the street corners preaching to those who pass by?
Think for yourself, Question authority.
Posted by: aaron at May 5, 2004 11:26 AM1) These crusades have not only prevented us from being attacked again on American soil, but are fueled by a desire for peace and the defeat of evil.
2) There are similarities there and it is because of that freedom of religion we have in the U.S. that I can not unequivocally condemn the public broadcasts of the call to prayer.
3) As for your search of knowledge, thought and authority, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7-11 I know how you feel about the hypocrisy of religion and the holier than thou/self-righteous approach taken by many. I know you have a desire to seek and find absolute truth, to seek and find knowledge, to keep your own sovereignty and ideas, to be the independent, self-reliant individual that makes you unique while not relinquishing the undeniable connection we, as humans feel. That connection is our purpose for being here. I think you would really enjoy the writing method of C.S. Lewis and urge you to experience his work for yourself. You may not agree with his conclusions, but I think you would at least respect his thought process. Check out Mere Christianity.
You are certainly wiser and more open minded than most. Thank you for at least trying to understand my side (as I have for many years tried understanding yours). I will look up C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity as I am not an individual closed to others' views.
Posted by: aaron at May 6, 2004 11:11 AM