Minneapolis OKs dawn Muslim prayer call, 1st for big US city

[MineralMan]

7. This is an excellent test of who's truly woke and who ain't.

As an atheist who lives directly across the street from a large Catholic church with real bells in its steeple, I've heard all sorts of responses from my neighbors in the townhome development where I live. Personally, I don't mind that the bells toll the Angelus every day at noon. They also ring after each mass - during the daylight hours. They don't ring for the 6:30 AM mass on Fridays, nor at the 8:30 AM mass on Sunday. Nevertheless, there are folks in my development who hate hearing those bells.

Not me. I don't mind. When I was stationed for 15 months on the Black Sea coast while in the USAF, my barracks room window looked out over a valley. About 200 yards from that window was a mosque. The call to prayer was broadcast over loudspeakers five times a day, the entire time I was there. I was surprised the first time I heard that, and it annoyed the crap out of a lot of guys in that barracks.

Not me. I actually believe that people should worship as their religious beliefs teach. So, as a guest in that city in Turkey, I accepted that sound five times a day as part of the culture around me. Over time, it became not only tolerable, but even welcome, as I could count on it as an alarm clock, when needed.

Clearly, since there is a Catholic church with bells that is very well-attended, it is part of the culture of the place I live now. In the Twin Cities, Muslims live in several parts of the community, most often choosing to live in areas where other Muslims live. Not surprisingly, the mosques where they worship are in those places. There are a bunch of mosques here. So, that is also part of the culture where I live. As when I lived in Turkey, I accept that as important to many people living nearby, so I don't object.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are very diverse cities, and so are the nearby suburbs. We are fortunate to have such a diverse cultural mix where we live. Everyone has the right to worship as they see fit or, as in my case, not to worship at all. I'm not bothered by other people's religious beliefs. They are none of my business, although I remain interested in the variety of religions around me.

Bottom line is that people will get over it. The call to prayer will be broadcast. Before long, it will just be part of the local routine for everyone within earshot. Not a huge deal, really.