Muezzin calls Muslims to prayer for first time in Canadian city

A Muslim muezzin calling to prayer. Photo: IslamDag
On June 19, 2026, the Islamic call to prayer — the adhan — rang out publicly for the first time in the center of Regina, Canada. The Jamia Masjid mosque conducted a three-minute "sound test" of its equipment, using four electronic loudspeakers, reports the Life Site News.
Representatives of the Islamic community called the event a "historic milestone" and thanked city authorities and police for their support. However, the incident has raised serious concerns among local residents and experts. The city's bylaws prohibit excessive noise that disturbs residents, but officials made an exception for the mosque.
Unlike traditional church bells, which are mechanical and hold historical status, the mosque installed modern electronic horn speakers specifically designed to project sound over long distances. Commentator Christopher Oldcorn called these loudspeakers a "warning siren," noting that this is not merely a religious rite but a deliberate projection of faith into the public space.
As the UOJ previously reported, Muslims in Canada released a guide against Islamophobia.
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