According to rules made public on Tuesday by Mayor Eric Adams, who stated they should promote tolerance, the Muslim call to prayer will now be heard more freely throughout New York City.
Under the new rules, Adams said, mosques will not need a special permit to publicly broadcast the Islamic call to prayer, or adhan, on Fridays and at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. Friday is the traditional Islamic holy day, and Muslims break their fast at sunset during Ramadan.
According to Adams, the police department's community affairs section will work with mosques to inform them of the new rules and to make sure that any equipment used to broadcast the adhan is set to the proper decibel levels.
“For too long, there has been a feeling that our communities were not allowed to amplify their calls to prayer,” Adams said.
“Today, we are cutting red tape and saying clearly that mosques and houses of worship are free to amplify their call to prayer on Fridays and during Ramadan without a permit necessary.”
Under the new rules, Adams said, mosques will not need a special permit to publicly broadcast the Islamic call to prayer, or adhan, on Fridays and at sundown during the holy month of Ramadan. Friday is the traditional Islamic holy day, and Muslims break their fast at sunset during Ramadan.
According to Adams, the police department's community affairs section will work with mosques to inform them of the new rules and to make sure that any equipment used to broadcast the adhan is set to the proper decibel levels.
“For too long, there has been a feeling that our communities were not allowed to amplify their calls to prayer,” Adams said.
“Today, we are cutting red tape and saying clearly that mosques and houses of worship are free to amplify their call to prayer on Fridays and during Ramadan without a permit necessary.”
