Minneapolis has become the first major US city where the Adhan, or Islamic call to prayer, has been incorporated into city law. The Adhan now echoes across the city five times a day, with the first call taking place at 3:30 a.m.
Minneapolis City Council members, including Muslim representatives, approved a resolution in 2023 that revised the city's noise ordinance to accommodate the Adhan. The change sets a precedent for other Muslim communities nationwide.
The Adhan is a public declaration that announces key Islamic tenets in Arabic. It begins with the phrase "Allahu akbar," which translates to "Allah is greater than" and is repeated four times. The declaration also includes phrases such as "I bear witness that Muhammad is the apostle of Allah" and "Come to prayer."
Minneapolis is not the only city to broadcast the Adhan. New York City also broadcasts the call to prayer on Fridays and during Ramadan, adhering to the city's noise rules.
The incorporation of the Adhan into Minneapolis law has sparked concerns about the spread of Islamic influence in the US. Critics argue that the declaration of Islamic supremacy, as stated in the Adhan, is inconsistent with the principles of religious freedom.
