Minneapolis becomes first US city to allow “adhan” to be heard over loudspeakers five times a day
Minneapolis: Minneapolis on Thursday became the first major city in America to permit broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayers, allowing “adhan” to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round.
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to amend the city's noise ordinance. Due to noise restrictions morning and late evening calls were prevented at certain times of the year. The vote came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“The Constitution doesn't sleep at night,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, after the vote. He said the action in Minneapolis shows the world that a “nation founded on freedom of religion makes good on its promise.”
Three of 13 members of the council identify as Muslim. Apart from the vote being anonimous, there was no organized community opposition with the decision. Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to sign the measure next week.
Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid An-Nur mosque in Minneapolis, one of several musllim leaders who witnessed the vote said,“Minneapolis has become a city for all religions.”
In Minnesota, dawn arrives at 5:30 am in the summer while happesns at 9pm.
Last year, the city allowed year-round broadcasts between 7 am and 10 pm excluding early morning prayer and sometimes night prayer.
At a recent public hearing, Christian and Jewish leaders expressed support for extending the hours for the adhan.
Observing the final day of Passover, Council Member Lisa Goodman noted that the Jewish call to prayer — which is generally spoken rather than broadcast — doesn't face legal restrictions. Observers noted that church bells regularly toll for Christians.
Council member Jamal Osman said, “It's something I grew up with, but not my children” adding that hearing the call to prayer from local mosques brings him joy.
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Centre spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print media ads for RSS centenary, reveals RTI
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture allegedly spent Rs 76.13 lakh on print advertisements marking the 100-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to a Right to Information (RTI) reply.
The information was sought by RTI activist Ajay Basudev Bose, who filed an application seeking details on expenditure incurred by the ministry for advertisements commemorating the RSS centenary.
Bose shared a picture of the reply from the ministry on his official ‘X’ handle.
“It is informed that an amount of Rs 76,13,129 has been spent on advertisement given in various print media by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of the completion of 100 years of RSS,” the government’s reply stated.
RTI reply shows Min of Culture Govt of India spent a Whopping Rs 76L,13K,129 on Advertisement in Print Media on occasion of 100 yrs of #RSS
— AJAY Basudev Bose (@AjayBos93388306) April 16, 2026
When Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??@RSSorg… pic.twitter.com/dW4IUtdNCg
Bose questioned the expenditure in the post X, “when Everyone knows RSS is Not Registered & Does not Pay any Tax is it justified to spend Tax Payers Money on such Private event??”
Reacting to the development, Karnataka’s IT-BT and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge also criticised the spending.
In a post on X, he asked why public money was being used for what he described as a “private ideological project.”
"Modi Sarkar spent Rs 76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS. Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to celebrate their centenary?," he added.
Why is public money being used to serve a private ideological project?
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) April 16, 2026
Modi Sarkar spent ₹76,13,129 of public money on newspaper advertisements to celebrate 100 years of the RSS.
Why is Government spending taxpayers money on an unregistered, non-tax-paying organisation to… pic.twitter.com/EoZ6Pim3IM
According to reports, the RSS describes itself as a volunteer-based organisation and has stated that it functions as a body of individuals rather than a registered entity.
Founded by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in 1925, the organisation is marking its centenary year beginning from Vijaydashami in 2025, with the milestone observed on October 2.
