Hamtramck's Interfaith Leaders Address Rising Tensions

May 28, 2004

Source: The Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/news/religion/call28_20040528.htm

On May 28, 2004 The Detroit Free Press reported, "A dozen Catholic, Protestant and Muslim leaders from Hamtramck met at the Al-Islah mosque on Thursday to discuss the rising tension. They reached a consensus that, as the calls to prayer begin, they'll make a joint public appeal for a cooling-off period of interfaith prayer and fasting. They also agreed to try to disengage from the city's political turmoil. As things stand, a hotly contested city ordinance designed to regulate noise from houses of worship is on hold pending a citywide vote, likely in August. Before the City Council approved the ordinance last month,there were no local regulations governing sound levels outside religious institutions. The ordinance, which would have taken effect on Wednesday but was blocked by a petition drive, would have given the council the ability to regulate the level of such sounds. However, at this point civic and religious leaders agree that a call to prayer is legal with or without the ordinance."