New York City Allows Friday Azaan on Loudspeakers in Mosque
New York City has updated its rules, allowing mosques (masjids) to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer on Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. without needing a permit, even in areas with noise limits.
Mayor Eric Adams announced these new guidelines, aiming to simplify processes and enable places of worship, including mosques, to practice their faith in the city. He emphasized that religious institutions don’t need permits to amplify their call to Friday prayer.
The initiative, led by the New York Police Department (NYPD), clarifies that the call to prayer is allow in New York City, even in areas with noise restrictions.He emphasized that religious institutions don’t need permits to amplify their call to Friday prayer.
This is a great victory for the Muslim community in New York City,” said Imam Shamsi Ali, the president of the Islamic Centre of New York. “It allows us to practice our faith without fear of harassment or discrimination.”
The guidance is also seen as a sign of progress in New York City’s efforts to become more welcoming to Muslims. In recent years, the city has taken steps to increase the number of mosques and Islamic schools and to make it easier for Muslims to obtain halal food.
The new guidance is still subject to some restrictions. For example, mosques are not allowed to broadcast Azan at a volume that is too loud or that disturbs the peace. However, the guidance is a significant step forward for the Muslim community in New York City.
