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Dearborn council hears complaints about mosque loudspeakers; police say decibel readings within limits, legal review ordered

5933953 ยท October 7, 2025
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Summary

Residents complained to the Dearborn City Council about amplified calls to prayer broadcast from a mosque. Police said recent decibel readings did not exceed limits and the city will ask its legal department for an opinion on how the noise ordinance applies to amplified religious speech.

Resident Andrea Unger told the Dearborn City Council she and neighbors in East Dearborn have experienced repeated loudspeaker broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayer and asked the city to stop the practice. "Your freedom of religion does not allow you to force me to listen to your prayers in my yard or home," Unger said during public comment.

The council put the issue on the record and asked city staff for follow-up. Chief of Police Issa Shaheen told the council the department has taken readings over several years and "we haven't had a violation or anything in the excess of the decibel reading since January." Shaheen and other staff said they investigated three recent complaints and have sought compliance from houses of worship when readings exceeded limits.

Council members and staff clarified that the city's noise ordinance already prohibits use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and that no permit had been issued to allow amplified calls outside those hours. Council President Cerini said the ordinance has not changed and that staff will continue enforcement.

The council directed staff to refer the matter to the city attorney for a written opinion on how the existing ordinance applies to amplified religious speech and asked police to continue decibel monitoring and follow-up with any sites that exceed the permitted levels. No formal vote was taken; the discussion resulted in a council direction to staff and legal review.

The exchange included residents' claims of repeated early-morning broadcasts, the police report of three recent complaints and the department's position that readings since January showed no violations. The council asked staff member Jackie to coordinate the legal review and officer follow-ups and to report back to the council.