Muslim call of prayer in your community?

[iamsharky789]

If muslims wanted to have sound speakers installed in your community for the purpose of calling for prayer, would you be opposed or accepting to it.

This thread was inspired by a recent conversation with a person who used to live in Hamtrack. He said there is a large bengali-muslim and polish-christian population in that city. The muslims want the call of prayer installed but the christian population are against it. The muslims are comparing the call of prayer to church bells though they are not quite similar in nature. I am opposed to anything that is affiliated with noise coming out of these crazies institutions. I am opposed to my alarm clock in the morning too but that is one pestering thing I can deal with.

Basically when do religious rights stop when it comes to personal rights. If the bells bother you, do you just move or do your fight back? This issue goes a little big deeper because the Government of that city just had recently the first muslim board member. Now there is a shift in politics so for those who think that it should be in accordance to the law, the law can change. So if it is a 50/50 split in population adn religion but the Pols were there first, should the Bengalis be allowed to set up their speakers?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

No bells in my neighborhood currently. Speakers would be cause for riot.

 

[Akivah]

As long as they are subject to the same noise ordinances regarding the bells, it seems okay to me.

 

[Pastek]

You know, this is just a minority who want that.
We don't really need it as we have religious calendars.

Are you from England ?

 

[iamsharky789]

You know, this is just a minority who want that.
We don't really need it as we have religious calendars.

Are you from England ?

No I am not from England. Would you want bells removed?

 

[Sees]

For me it would depend on the proximity and volume. I like church bells even though not a Christian or church goer. And even though I'm not a big fan of Islam...I kinda like the call to prayer too.

If the rest of the community voted for it, Muslim and non-Muslim, I would probably go along. If it smelled like motivation was a form of claiming/flag-planting... not so much.

 

[Ridefeather]

As long as they are subject to the same noise ordinances regarding the bells, it seems okay to me.

I agree with this.

Also, first post to this forum.

 

[iamsharky789]

I agree with this.

Also, first post to this forum.

I would agree, but the bells have been grandfathered in so to say in major areas. They override noise ordinances and get a pass. But when called into contention, the churches cite tradition.

 

[nazz]

If muslims wanted to have sound speakers installed in your community for the purpose of calling for prayer, would you be opposed or accepting to it.

I'd have no problem with it. I like the sound of it.

 

[Pastek]

No I am not from England. Would you want bells removed?

No. There's a cathedral in my city but i live 3kms away.
It didn't bothered me when i was in highschool (which was just next to it).

 

[Smart_Guy]

We don't have churches where I live, but I don't mind the little noise it could make because I respect the fact it's there for a good cause. I also respect other religious. Actually I think it is a good thing even for me a Muslim as it will help keeping track of time significantly.

As for Muslims in non Muslim communities, I think they have the right to ask nicely for what meets their beliefs, follow it to be done, but by all means not demand it and complain about it. They should respect the rules and regulations, as well as the preferences of the locals, of the place that welcomed them. I'm not taking sides here, I'm trying to think rationally.

Btw, call for prayer in Islam helps so much in keeping track of and manage time as they are very connected to times of day (actually perfectly connected). Ever lost track of time, forgot an appointment or a date then something connected to timing happened that reminded you of it? Felt relieved that something reminded you? I sure did

 

[iamsharky789]

We don't have churches where I live, but I don't mind the little noise it could make because I respect the fact it's there for a good cause. I also respect other religious. Actually I think it is a good thing even for me a Muslim as it will help keeping track of time significantly.

As for Muslims in non Muslim communities, I think they have the right to ask nicely for what meets their beliefs, follow it to be done, but by all means not demand it and complain about it. They should respect the rules and regulations, as well as the preferences of the locals, of the place that welcomed them. I'm not taking sides here, I'm trying to think rationally.

Btw, call for prayer in Islam helps so much in keeping track of and manage time as they are very connected to times of day (actually perfectly connected). Ever lost track of time, forgot an appointment or a date then something connected to timing happened that reminded you of it? Felt relieved that something reminded you? I sure did

But you can always turn off your reminders on your phone or alarm, you'll never get those people shut their noise off once you let them.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I don't consider it noise if it is not too loud.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Basically when do religious rights stop when it comes to personal rights.

As the old line goes, "your right to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose."

The noise by-law where I live prohibits a PA or recorded music system if it is "played or operated in such manner or with such volume as to disturb the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of any individual in any office, dwelling house, apartment, hotel, hospital, or any other type of residence."

I think that's reasonable.

I would definitely be against special exemptions for religious noise, whether it's bells or calls to prayer.

 

[Assad91]

Im for it

 

[iamsharky789]

Im for it

Why should everybody be forced to have than in your neighborhood? Last year, I help demolish two churches in my community because they represented years of abuse and annoyance by their existence. Had their been bells ringing, I personally would have taken a sledgehammer and knocked them down myself. I would have to seriously petition a public call for prayer in my community. If people want to have reminders and notices, why not have them in your own homes? Why subjecte the whole entire community to that unpleasant moaning?

 

[iamsharky789]

Iamsharky, did you demolish those two churches "brick by brick"?

No, they were old, abandoned churches that were not in use and after several attempts to raise funds failed, they were taken down.

 

[iamsharky789]

But, you would rather have dismantled them "brick by brick", correct?

A construction company was hired and some people volunteered.

 

[Smart_Guy]

But you can always turn off your reminders on your phone or alarm, you'll never get those people shut their noise off once you let them.

Good point

I guess I'm just too considerate and kind that I'm willing to deal with it

 

[HonestJoe]

If muslims wanted to have sound speakers installed in your community for the purpose of calling for prayer, would you be opposed or accepting to it.

I already do and it's really not a problem. They're not especially loud, long or regular and tend to blend in to the general background noise of the city. Used within reason I don't see any practical reason to object unconditionally in most circumstances and most vocal objections are entirely politically/theologically motivated.

So if it is a 50/50 split in population adn religion but the Pols were there first, should the Bengalis be allowed to set up their speakers?

They should all come to a workable compromise. In most places that's exactly what happens while the extremists at both ends are left to grumble to themselves about how hard done by they are.