A Muslim leader has warned a councillor opposing the broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer from a Sydney mosque to “keep her mouth shut” about the highly contentious proposal.

3 months ago by ikt to c/sydney

According to an acoustic consultant’s report, the sound would affect about 20 nearby homes and comply with both Canterbury-Bankstown Council requirements and the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s noise guidelines.

The report found the highest predicted noise level would be 53 decibels – roughly equivalent to the sound of a household refrigerator.

Absolutely taking the piss and who did this noise report? Who installs a bunch of speakers for it to output no louder than a refrigerator? for some reason guardian and ABC not talking about this

observes_depths 10 points 3 months ago

I was in Malaysia recently where these broadcasts are common. I won't complain about other cultures but it's pretty annoying. Only 20 houses is a quieter broadcast than over there. But if someone in Australia played loud music or a dog frequently barking that affected 20 neighbours you bet there'd be complaints. In this country, I believe those 20 residents have a right to peace and quiet in their homes.

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ryannathans 8 points 3 months ago

For 15 minutes?? How about no. The new western Sydney airport is taking tremendous steps to reduce a far lower duration of potential noise pollution each week

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busted_Anoose 6 points 3 months ago

Why can't religious people keep their noise pollution to themselves? that goes for all religions. dgaf who it is, nobody wants to hear that shit. And No, Bells aren't even in the same ballpark. Nobody puts a call to prayer on a desk for you to get someones attention.

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Seagoon_ 3 points 3 months ago

A more effective broadcast would be one that is sent over phones or televisions or radio. People could tune into it if they choose. They could make it as loud as they want as long as they aren't disturbing neighbours, because this is after all a society that respects each other.

And they could even have a live Muezzin , it's pretty sad that so many callers have been replaced with recordings.

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Nath 0 points 3 months ago

Churches have been ringing bells in Australia for 200+ years, why are we complaining when it's a mosque all of a sudden?

I'm not much fussed about either calls to prayers or church bells. I find this double-standard annoying though where one religion can do it without criticism but not another.

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T4peMeasure 4 points 3 months ago

I believe ringing of bells should not be equated with actual readings from Islam's doctrinal beliefs, ringing in the ears of everyone daily.

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Eyekaytee 3 points 3 months ago

tbf the only time I hear bells is the brisbane town hall for the time, outside of that church bells are very much a thing of the past for me

and I'm not entirely sure if the Church today said hey every Sunday for 15 minutes straight we're going to be ringing a bell and annoying everyone in the neighbourhood they'd get a clean pass either, we're a very different place than 100 years ago

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Nath 1 point 3 months ago

I don't know where the nearest Mosque to me is, I don't get these calls. I do get bells from a couple of churches in the area, but yeah - not for 15 minutes. Do they really go that long? I can see an argument against that.

I'd get behind a standard that outlined how long a bell/prayer call can go for and how frequent/loud it can be. Something everyone needed to abide by. Everyone. Even Mr. Whippy or anyone who wanted to make a sound above a certain level. Regulate frequency and duration for all and I'm good.

But don't single one religion out. That's messed up.

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Eyekaytee 2 points 3 months ago

The LMA argues the impact of the broadcasts would be minimal, with the speakers to only be used for about 15 minutes at noon each Friday.

But critics claim this would only be the start.

🙈

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Seagoon_ 2 points 3 months ago

bells are rare and only last a few seconds

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Nath -1 points 3 months ago

With the info upfront that I have zero issue with this: I disagree. The ones near home go off with each wedding, which is once or twice on a Saturday and for the service on Sunday.

During the week, I'm in town - where there are at least two cathedrals and one of them has rehearsals one afternoon a week where a team ring their bells for half an hour and they do it again for several minutes on Sunday, though I'm rarely around for that.

Plus we have assorted clocks around ringing away every hour (one goes off every quarter hour). And to add to the soundscape, there's that Mr Whippy example I gave where that blasted pink van will roam all around for way longer than half an hour.

We'll gloss over the vehicle noise, but that's a constant as well.

So yeah, I have no issues with another religion adding to all that. And if someone does, then we introduce something to affect everyone.

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ryannathans 3 points 3 months ago

Bells don't ring for 15 minutes straight

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Gorgritch_umie_killa 1 point 3 months ago

Always gotta watch out for double standards and quickly check possible prejudices where-ever they arise. Very true.

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