(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 11/22/2022) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Islamophobic comments made during a Wisconsin city council meeting to discuss a request by the local Muslim community to allow public call to prayer, or adhan, from two local mosques.
Muslims in Barron, Wis., ultimately withdrew that request after it drew opposition at a recent city council meeting. At the Nov. 15 meeting, 14 speakers opposed the request. Some speakers voiced concerns about the call to prayer triggering PTSD in veterans. Other speaks commented about alleged indoctrination of youth who are not Muslim and equated the call to prayer to breaking into a mosque and preaching from the Bible.
A police official had to warn members of the public who became disruptive as when a Muslim city council member was speaking. That council member quoted one commenter who reportedly said: “Go back to Somalia if you want to practice religion or worship.”
SEE: Request to Play Muslim Call to Prayer in Barron Met with Strong Opposition
https://www.wpr.org/somali-muslim-call-prayer-strong-opposition-barron
Barron City Council Member Isaak Mohamed told CAIR:
“After the city council meeting last week, I talked with leaders and members of our Somali community at each of our mosques. We are in agreement to pull back from our request for public adhan.
“Anti-Somali views and some degrading outbursts at the city council meeting last week were very upsetting and worrisome. Freedom in America, including the liberty to worship, is one of the many important reasons our families took refuge here. For the entire world, America is the best example of religious freedom. But we do not wish to be the target of trouble and conflict, especially here in Barron where we Somalis are very happy now.”
“Public issues should be able to be discussed without resorting to bigoted comments targeting a religious minority,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “We urge the city council to reconsider the Muslim community’s request in an atmosphere of respect, and to decide on the issue based on the law, not based on bigotry or misinformation.”
Hussein added that Minneapolis, Minn., was the first major city in the United States to allow the adhan to be broadcast publicly at two dozen mosques.
Video: CAIR-MN Responds to Minneapolis Resolution Allowing Adhan to be Broadcast During Ramadan
He noted that earlier this year, CAIR released a report, titled “Still Suspect: The Impact of Structural Islamophobia,” documenting more than 6,720 complaints to CAIR offices nationwide involving a range of issues including immigration and travel, workplace discrimination, denial of public accommodations, law enforcement and government overreach, hate and bias incidents, incarceree rights, school incidents, anti-BDS/free speech, among other reported issues.
Hussein said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein,612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR-MN Greater MN Outreach Coordinator Majid Igale, 320-237-3406, mgale@cair.com; CAIR-MN Deputy Director Mohamed Ibrahim, 507-990-3473 Mibrahim@cair.com;CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com