Pause Regina's Amplified Call to Prayer Until Federal Review

 

We are calling on Regina Police Services and all relevant decision-makers to pause the amplified outdoor call to prayer in Regina until a federal e-petition can be considered by the Government of Canada and Parliament.

 

This is not a request to prohibit anyone's freedom of religion. Every Canadian has the right to worship according to their faith and conscience. Our concern is with the use of amplified religious messages in shared public spaces and the national precedent such decisions may create.

 

Public spaces belong equally to Canadians of every faith and to those of no faith. Decisions affecting those spaces should be made carefully, consistently, and with consideration for everyone who uses them.

 

Many veterans, refugees, asylum seekers, Persian Canadians, Jewish Canadians, and others who have fled war, terrorism, religious persecution, or oppressive regimes have shared that sounds associated with those experiences can trigger painful memories, anxiety, or emotional distress. Their voices deserve to be heard and considered before decisions with broader implications are made.

 

Our Proposed Resolution

 

We believe there is a respectful compromise that protects both freedom of religion and the neutrality of shared public spaces.

 

We ask that:

 

- The amplified outdoor call to prayer in Regina be paused until Parliament has had the opportunity to consider a federal e-petition on this issue.

- Worship and the call to prayer continue within the mosque or on mosque property, without outdoor amplification into surrounding neighbourhoods and public spaces.

- Worship activities not extend into public streets or parks in a manner that affects shared public spaces.

- A national review be undertaken to establish clear, consistent guidance for municipalities across Canada before any permanent precedent is set.

 

This proposal does not seek to prevent anyone from practising their faith. It seeks a balanced approach that respects religious freedom while recognizing that public spaces are shared equally by all Canadians.

 

We also invite veterans, refugees, asylum seekers, Persian Canadians, Jewish Canadians, and anyone who has been personally affected to submit a signed letter describing their experiences.

 

Please include:

 

- Your first and last name

- Province of residence

- Whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylum seeker

- Your personal experience

 

Letters must be received by August 3. They will remain confidential and will not be shared publicly. They will be hand-delivered to Regina Police Services so that the voices of those affected can be formally presented.

 

If you believe this issue deserves national discussion before a precedent is established for municipalities across Canada, please sign this petition and share it widely.

 

Together, we can encourage a respectful solution that protects freedom of religion, respects the experiences of those affected by conflict and persecution, and promotes fairness in the public spaces we all share.