The debate over mosque prayer calls in Dearborn has resurfaced, drawing sharp reactions from residents and a firm defense from Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who says the sound levels fall within the city’s legal limits and do not violate local ordinances.
Complaints Rise as Prayer Calls Become More Noticeable
Over the past two years, several residents have reported that nearby mosques have been projecting the call to prayer through outdoor loudspeakers multiple times a day. Some say the volume has increased as mosques expanded facilities or upgraded audio equipment, and they argue the sound now reaches well beyond the immediate property line.
One of the most outspoken residents, Andrea Unger, told both Fox News and the Dearborn City Council that she recorded the call to prayer for 30 straight days and consistently measured levels above 70 decibels, higher than what she believes the ordinance allows. Unger, who has lived in the city for about 40 years, says she respects all faiths but does not want religious broadcasts forced into her home.
Mayor Hammoud Says Readings Are Legal
Mayor Hammoud addressed the issue on the Nov. 3 episode of the Not From Here podcast. He said the city took its own measurements and found all readings “within threshold, all within legal limit.” He added that while residents are free to raise concerns, the city must balance those feelings with constitutional protections for religious practice.
“For me, it’s not an issue,” Hammoud said. He noted that outdoor calls to prayer have existed in Dearborn since the 1970s and questioned why a handful of complaints have emerged only in recent years. When the podcast host suggested the surge in complaints might be tied to election season, the mayor did not respond directly.
City Ordinance and Enforcement
Dearborn’s noise rules allow:
- Up to 70 decibels in residential areas during daytime hours
- Up to 60 decibels at night
- No loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Most mosques, according to city leaders, do not broadcast the dawn (Fajr) prayer. The Islamic Institute of Knowledge acknowledged it once did but voluntarily stopped that early-morning broadcast after complaints.
Police Chief Issa Shahin told the city council that his department has been working with all houses of worship to ensure compliance. Any mosque found exceeding decibel limits or broadcasting before 7 a.m. would receive a citation.
Residents Say the City Isn’t Hearing Them
Despite city assurances, some residents say the issue is ongoing and growing. They argue that neighbors hesitate to publicly complain because they fear being called “Islamophobic” or anti-Muslim. Unger pointed to past comments from Mayor Hammoud labeling Christian minister Ted Barham as bigoted during a previous dispute, saying residents now feel intimidated.
“We just want to live in the community it’s always been,” Unger said, insisting the issue is about noise levels, not religion.
Supporters Say the Sound Reflects Dearborn’s Diversity
Not everyone shares the concerns. Some residents say the prayer calls are part of the city’s identity and should be embraced as one expression of Dearborn’s religious landscape. Others compare the sound to traditional church bells that have been a fixture in many American towns for generations.
“Dearborn is a beautiful thing,” one resident said. “A lot of religions here being practiced. Churches, mosques, synagogues. It’s what America’s all about.”
The Debate Isn’t Going Away
The dispute is shaping into a broader conversation about noise, culture, and changing neighborhoods. With new residents moving in, older residents feeling unheard, and political tensions rising as elections approach, the issue is likely to remain prominent.
The city says it will continue monitoring for violations. Residents say they will continue documenting the noise. And the divide over what is tradition and what is disturbance shows no signs of resolving soon.
