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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TVK chief Vijay declares two pending criminal cases in fresh election affidavit
Chennai (PTI): Amid scrutiny, TVK chief Vijay, who had earlier filed an election affidavit with no pending criminal cases, has declared two pending FIRs in a fresh affidavit filed before the returning officer for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to be held on April 23.
The fresh affidavit, notarised on April 3, was filed on April 4 by a representative, according to sources. It lists two cases in Chennai and Madurai that were not included in the previous document notarised on March 30.
In the latest filing, the actor disclosed FIR number 74 of 2026 registered at the K5 Peravallur Police Station in Chennai for alleged public disturbance during election campaigning on March 30. Vijay stated in the affidavit that he became aware of this case through social media on April 2.
A second FIR, number 108 of 2025 from the Koodakovil Police Station in Madurai district, involves a complaint regarding an incident during a party conference on August 21, 2025. The complainant alleged being pushed and injured by bouncers while attempting to approach the leader during a ramp walk, though Vijay noted he has not yet received a formal summons for the matter.
While the criminal record section saw changes, the financial declarations remained largely consistent across both filings.
Vijay's movable assets are valued at approximately Rs 410.59 crore in the fresh affidavit, compared to the Rs 404.58 crore declared previously. This includes silver articles worth Rs 15 lakh and 883 grams of gold jewellery valued at over Rs 1.20 crore.
The total current market value of his immovable properties, including commercial and residential buildings in locations such as Neelankarai and Saligramam, is estimated at Rs 220.15 crore.
The TVK leader declared a total income of Rs 184.53 crore for the 2024-2025 financial year. He also listed pending income tax demands totaling approximately Rs 3.44 crore across multiple assessment years which are currently under appeal.
Vijay is contesting the elections from the Perambur and Tiruchirapalli East Assembly constituencies. He filed his first nomination for the Perambur Assembly constituency on March 30. He subsequently filed his nomination for the Trichy East constituency on April 2.
The fresh affidavit submitted in Perambur on April 4 was a supplementary filing intended to address discrepancies between the initial Perambur declaration and the one later filed in Tiruchirapalli East. The revised filing ensures the TVK chief remains compliant with Election Commission norms regarding the disclosure of all pending criminal proceedings.
