Mosque seeks neighbourhood input after one-time broadcast and threats
A downtown Regina mosque is collecting public feedback after temporarily halting plans to broadcast the Islamic call to prayer, known as the Adhan, following a single mid‑June airing that drew online threats.
Regina City Jamia Masjid obtained a permit from the Regina Police Service last month to broadcast the call to prayer. After broadcasting it once in mid‑June, the mosque decided to suspend further broadcasts when threats appeared online. The congregation has since organised an open house and conducted surveys in front of the mosque to gauge community views and answer questions before a decision is finalised.
The mosque has stressed that neighbours are a priority in the decision about whether the Adhan will continue to be broadcast around noon on Fridays. All responses from the public engagement will be submitted to the Regina Police Service and will inform the permit review that determines whether routine broadcasts go ahead.
- Permit: Granted by Regina Police Service last month.
- Broadcast: One test airing in mid‑June; subsequent broadcasts halted after online threats.
- Engagement: Open house and on‑site surveys to collect community input; results to be provided to police for permit review.
“Our neighbours are our first priority so they are the ones to decide whether or not we will be able to continue with the call to prayer,” says M Anisur Rahaman, director of Regina City Jamia Masjid.
Members of the public taking part in the surveys expressed a range of opinions. One participant, Cale Fladager, said the mosque should have the same right to broadcast its call to prayer as churches ring bells. Another participant, Gail Becker, told surveyors she opposed the idea, saying she was comfortable with the mosque being in the community but did not want to hear the call to prayer and worried it could set a precedent.
| Event | Date/Timing |
|---|---|
| Permit issued by Regina Police Service | Last month |
| One broadcast of Adhan | Mid‑June |
| Temporary halt to broadcasting | After online threats |
| Open house and public surveys | Conducted on a Friday; ongoing community consultation |
The mosque has emphasised its intention to be responsive to neighbours and to use the engagement results in the formal permit process. The Regina Police Service will review the collected feedback before determining whether the mosque may proceed with regular broadcasts of the Adhan on Friday afternoons.
As the matter proceeds through the permit review, it raises questions for Regina about how public spaces, religious expression and community standards intersect, and how local authorities weigh neighbourhood concerns alongside rights to religious practice.
