https://www.westernstandardonline.com/2020/05/nenshi-gives-calgary-mosques-permission-to-break-noise-bylaws-during-ramadan/
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has given Calgary mosques permission to break the city’s noise bylaw in its calls for people to pray during Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. This year it runs from April 23 to May 23.
Five times a day mosques are to make a call for believers to come and pray – and Nenshi, himself a Muslim, has given the local community permission to break noise bylaws once a day by broadcasting the call over loudspeakers.
It was Calgary Muslim groups who asked Nenshi for permission to broadcast.
“Observing Ramadan is a very important time of the year, and I know Muslim Ummah are finding it difficult to commemorate this holy month without congregational prayer, breaking the fast with extended family and friends and gathering for Eid,” Nenshi wrote Muslim leaders in a May 8 letter obtained by the Western Standard.
“As an effort to spark some joy and community spirit in the Ummah, I have reached out to our Bylaw Team and have asked them to accommodate your request without infringing on the noise regulations.
Mayor Naheed Nensi
“I am pleased to advise you that an exemption under the bylaw will be granted once per day for sunset prayer for the remainder of Ramadan. We will ask that the broadcast last no longer than five minutes each evening.”
Nenshi asked Muslim leader to contact bylaw officials which mosques will be doing broadcasts so the city can advise area residents.
The city’s noise bylaw states illegal noise can include, but is not limited to, “yelling, shouting, loud music, horns, power tools and air conditioners.”
It states a noise creating 85 decibels (dBA) measured over a period of 15 minutes during the day-time is also illegal.
A study by Purdue University described 85 decibels as: “Garbage disposal, dishwasher, average factory, freight train (at 15 meters). Car wash at 20 ft (89 dB); propeller plane flyover at 1000 ft (88 dB); diesel truck 40 mph at 50 ft (84 dB); diesel train at 45 mph at 100 ft (83 dB). Food blender (88 dB); milling machine (85 dB); garbage disposal (80 dB).
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