Call to Dialogue in Hamtramck, Mich

July 9, 2004

Source: Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/news/locway/call9_20040709.htm

On July 9, 2004 Detroit Free Press reported, "Dozens of people came together Thursday evening at the Al-Islah Islamic Center in Hamtramck to talk about what they have in common in the religiously divided city.

They talked about being immigrants or the children of immigrants. They talked about how Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe in one God... Hamtramck has been divided largely along religious lines over a noise ordinance that allows the Al-Islah to broadcast the call to prayer via a loudspeaker... In a special election on July 20, voters will decide whether to appeal the ordinance that regulates the call to prayer and church bells in the city. The ordinance, which the City Council approved in April, has been on hold pending the outcome of the election.

Even though the ordinance is on hold, Al-Islah has been broadcasting the call to prayer three times a day since May 28 -- the earliest and latest prayers are not broadcast. Mosque leaders said they won't say prayers early in the morning or late at night because they are honoring the intent of the ordinance."