Regina mosque surveys community on call to prayer after threats

Regina City Jamia Masjid is seeking community input on whether to continue broadcasting the Islamic call to prayer, known as the Adhan. The mosque temporarily stopped the practice after receiving online threats following a permit from the Regina Police Service to broadcast it around noon on Fridays.

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Our neighbours are our first priority so they are the ones to decide whether or not we will be able to continue with the call to prayer.

Surveys were conducted outside the mosque on Friday to gauge public opinion. "Our neighbours are our first priority so they are the ones to decide whether or not we will be able to continue with the call to prayer," said M Anisur Rahaman, director of the mosque. Some residents expressed support, with one participant stating, "I think they have every right to broadcast their call to prayer, just as any church in the city would have the right to ring their bells." Others voiced opposition, like Gail Becker, who said, "They’re welcome here, but I don’t want to hear their call to prayer."

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I think they have every right to broadcast their call to prayer, just as any church in the city would have the right to ring their bells.

All collected responses will be submitted to the Regina Police Service as part of the permit review process. The final decision on whether the Adhan will continue to be broadcast will be made based on this review.

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They’re welcome here, but I don’t want to hear their call to prayer.