Regina mosque surveys public after backlash to broadcast of call to prayer

M. Anisur Rahaman, the director of the Regina City Jamia Masjid mosque, said that many of the negative comments appeared to the result of misconceptions about the Muslim faith.

Regina mosque surveys public after backlash to broadcast of call to prayer Mosque director says neighbours will decide future of 3-minute broadcast A survey and townhall on Friday at a mosque in downtown Regina will help the religious centre as it continues to weigh whether the broadcast the adhan, or the Muslim call to prayer, one a week. "Our neighbors are the first priority, so they are the ones to decide, like, whether or not we will be able to continue with the call to prayer," said M. Anisur Rahaman, the director of the Regina City Jamia Masjid.

Rahaman said Friday's gathering gave him a chance to learn, while also providing an opportunity to educate people about the Muslim faith. "The negative comments that we see from the people, they have a misconception. They have a misconception about, not the call to prayer, but about the religion," Rahaman told media on Friday outside the mosque.

Rahaman said those misconceptions drove the hostile backlash to the mosque's plan. The mosque received a permit from the Regina Police Service to broadcast the three-minute call over rooftop speakers, once a week, over the noon hour on Friday. The response — and the threats the mosque received — led Rahaman to pause the plans and arrange for the public town hall held Friday.

Donna Nelson lives near the mosque and filled out the survey on Friday. Nelson told CBC the broadcast of the call to prayer should have been a non-issue, and that it was "upsetting" that she had to show up and support the centre. "I think we need to speak up and show that there are people that do support multi-faiths and that we're in support of our neighbors," Nelson said.

Although Rahaman said many of 40 to 50 people that came out on Friday morning had been "very positive," not everyone endorsed the mosque's plan. One of those in opposition was Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich, who said displays of faith should be kept away from the public, while also defending those who have shared similar criticisms.

"As soon as people actually stand up and actually want to oppose something or don't agree with something, all of a sudden they become racist and bigots. I think that's wrong," Rashovich said. Ward 3 Coun.

David Froh offered a different interpretation, saying this should not be up to municipal politicians to decide. "It's important to note the city council has no authority to issue these permits, but nor do cities across Canada have any right, thankfully, to restrict anything in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and I think that's an important point that needs to be made," Froh said. Rahaman said the mosque continues to learn while keeping an eye on the future.

The permit for the broadcast expired on July 10. Rahaman confirmed the mosque had applied to Regina police to extend the permit before its expiration. He also plans to share the feedback gathered in the survey with the Regina police.