While reading the City section of the New York Times yesterday, I happened to stumble on an article about my neighborhood (Kensington). There have been complaints about the calls for prayer coming from Masjid Nur al-Islam mosque. Four times a day there is a loud call to pray that can be heard for many blocks. Many living near the mosque have complained that it is too loud. Now a debate is emerging about what to do about it.
I live just a few blocks from the mosque and often hear the call for prayer. It has been going on since before I moved to the neighborhood almost 12 years ago. It doesn’t disturb me and I don’t consider it loud at all. When I asked around the neighborhood, I found that I was not the only one to feel this way. Those who I have spoken to have said that the calls for prayer are not bothersome. They should be allowed to continue there call for prayer as they have been doing for many years. More can be read about the issue here.
wow, this seems pretty interesting…I wonder if the police will become involved?
I’m not the biggest fan of church bells, but they still are permitted. I say let the calls continue.
I think that’s outrageous. I know personally what that is. It lasts approx. about 2-3 minutes.
Personally, there are a lot of noises in the city think..Loud music. I think it’s ridiculous that this is an issue.
this has been going on for years; i remember as a kid hearing the call for prayer when i was visiting my friends. why all the hullabaloo now?
Its funny how the newbies of the re gentrification era of nyc move in to already established neighborhoods with practises that never bothered the established residents and want to change it. It was here before you came and the fact that you move here you deal with it.
I think as New Yorkers we should be accustom to loud noises, although I would not consider a call to prayer noise. Whether you live in the city or travel to city, noise is something that you have to live with. So I say let the calls continue.
This is America and people should be able to practice their religion freely.
I, too believe that they should be allowed to make their calls, it is done all over the world, even in countries that are not predominantly muslim.