(Paterson Times) An ordinance allowing mosques to broadcast the adhan or Islamic call to prayer received preliminary approval from the City Council on Tuesday night.
Council members voted 7-0-2 to approve a revised noise ordinance presented by councilman Shahin Khalique. The ordinance states, “Calls to prayer, including the Adhan, are exempt from the noise ordinance.” A previous iteration of the ordinance allowed calls to prayer from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The revised ordinance does not include a time restriction.
Khalique’s introduction of the measure last week led to a large number of phone calls, text messages, and emails to council members from people opposed to the measure.
Council president Maritza Davila said she was inundated with emails and text messages. “The amount of things I saw on social media was so sad. It truly was disheartening,” she said.
