Murray Wood: The new phone books are here!
Once a Steve Martin catchphrase, Murray Wood says physical phone books are rapidly becoming relics of another age, but t...
Supporters, critics and curious onlookers gathered outside Regina City Jamia Masjid on Friday after an amplified Islamic call to prayer sparked debate across Regina and online.
Instead of broadcasting a second call to prayer, mosque leaders announced they would pause future amplified calls while consulting with neighbours and the broader community.
Read more:
- Regina mosque call to prayer debate exposes broader local tensions, expert says
- STF warns of teacher shortage and burnout despite classroom gains
- PHOTOS: Fast-moving storm turns Regina residential streets into lakes
The gathering brought together people with very different views on the issue.
Jackson, who asked that only his first name be used because of privacy concerns, said he heard last week’s call and believes it shouldn’t be compared to church bells.
“I did hear it a little bit, and I didn’t know what the heck it was,” he said.
Jackson said he doesn’t believe church bells and the Islamic call to prayer are equivalent.
“Church bells aren’t saying anything,” he said. “I think this is completely different.”
Another attendee, William, also asked that only his first name be used for privacy reasons. He said he didn’t hear last week’s call but came Friday to observe the gathering.
The self-described atheist said governments should apply the same rules equally.
“If they’re going to ban one religious group from making a public broadcast using amplification, then they’ve got to ban them all,” he said. “Or ban none of them. Be fair. Be consistent.”
Standing alongside members of the mosque were supporters from other faith communities.
Rev. Mike Sinclair, priest at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral across the street from the mosque, said the discussion should encourage people to learn more about one another rather than react out of fear.
“When something is new, or we don’t understand something, it’s easier to lash out rather than asking really important and intelligent questions,” Sinclair said.
He also praised the mosque’s decision to pause the broadcasts while consulting the community.
“I think the imam and the community are very gracious,” he said. “But it upsets me that there’s even the sense there’s a need for that.”
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina also issued a statement Friday expressing support for the Muslim community.
The archdiocese said recent coverage of the city’s permit for the amplified call to prayer had led to a “deeply polarizing public and online response.”
It said it “strongly opposes every form of prejudice, hatred, intimidation, and threat of violence directed toward the Muslim community,” and described religious freedom as “a fundamental human right.”
The statement also thanked Regina Islamic community leaders for responding with openness and dialogue, saying their approach “offers an example of the respectful engagement that strengthens communities and helps build a society marked by justice, peace, and the common good.”
Regina city councillor Victoria Flores also attended the gathering.
Flores said the mosque followed the same process as any other organization seeking permission to use amplified sound.
“There is no difference or preferential treatment,” she said. “It is as simple as a noise permit.”
She added that allowing one faith community to worship publicly does not take away from others.
“Allowing one denomination to gather and worship does not take away from anybody else,” Flores said.
Earlier in the week, Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski also voiced support for the mosque’s decision to consult with the community before moving forward.
Police maintained a presence outside the mosque after warning earlier this week that hate directed at any community would not be tolerated. The gathering remained peaceful, with supporters and critics speaking respectfully with one another and mosque leaders.
Mosque leaders say they will continue consulting neighbours and the broader community before deciding whether to resume amplified calls to prayer.
Read more:
