Lakemba Mosque wants to install four loudspeakers to its minaret so it can broadcast a Muslim call to prayer across the local area every Friday. They lodged an application with Canterbury-Bankstown Council last month, arguing the prayer call should be allowed because the suburb was 61.2% Muslim and 68% of residents were born overseas.

Planning documents compared the midday Friday prayer call to Catholic church bells, and describes the loudspeakers as “a simple addition to the existing Mosque that will meet the religious needs of the Muslim community in the Lakemba region“. When was the last time you heard church bells in your local area??

“The main objective of the proposal to provide a local call of prayer for Lakemba Mosque to create a cultural and Islamic sense of community within the context of the mosque and its surrounds,” the documents state.

The plans also include a translation of the prayer call, which the mosque wants played for 15 minutes. An acoustic report prepared by the mosque found noise levels from the prayer call are expected to reach 81 decibels at neighbouring commercial properties, between 63 and 68 at residential properties, and an estimated 62 inside a proposed school classroom.

“Some people may welcome this call to prayer, others may not. The call to prayer is intended to be heard throughout the community,” the report authors wrote in response to a checklist from the EPA Noise Guide for Local Government. But the report found that the noise generated will not be considered offensive, and would comply with EPA noise policy criteria as long as their recommendations on speaker installation were followed.

We are gradually being blind-sided and losing our identity. This broadcast is simply not necessary & puts one religion above others & I personally think it's offensive. It will also initiate further pushing of the boundaries if this is allowed to proceed. As Australians, we take pride in our cultural heritage that is built upon a rich tapestry of traditions and values. Yet, we now face a challenge that threatens to alter the auditory landscape of our communities. The submission by the Lakemba mosque to allow the public broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer has sparked deep concern among many citizens.

Our cities and neighbourhoods thrive on diversity, but it is essential to maintain a balance that respects the essence of all cultural communities. While freedom of religion is a fundamental right, it should coexist with the collective values of our society. The public broadcast of a specific religious call to prayer disrupts this balance by imposing a singular religious expression on diverse auditory space shared by all.

Moreover, examples from other nations show that such practices have led to tensions and division within communities. In the Netherlands and parts of Sweden, public concerns have been raised over noise levels and the potential marginalization of non-Muslim residents.

Alternatives exist that respect religious freedom without disturbing communal harmony. Mosques can continue to call their followers to prayer through modern means such as phone apps, text messages, or indoor speakers that do not extend into the broader public sphere.

Australia is home to people from myriad backgrounds, and it is crucial to let each individual experience their cultural and religious practices within a framework of mutual respect and non-intrusion. Our shared spaces should echo with the harmonious coexistence of all, rather than one voice overwhelming others.

Sign this petition to urge local and federal leaders to prohibit the public broadcasting of any religious calls to prayer from places of worship in Australia. Together, we can preserve the identity of our communal spaces while respecting the diversity that defines us.