In a proposal submitted to the Canterbury-Bankstown Council, Lakemba Mosque, Australia's largest and most significant Sunni place of worship, seeks to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer, known as the adhan, via four loudspeakers affixed to its minaret. The plan involves a five-minute broadcast once a week, prior to the Friday Jummah prayer, in a neighbourhood where nearly two-thirds of residents identified as Muslim in 2021. The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), which operates the mosque, describes the initiative as "modest in nature but deeply meaningful" to the community, emphasising its alignment with Australia's multicultural identity. While the proposal has garnered support and no formal objections, it raises legitimate concerns about noise, necessity, and community harmony. This blog piece respectfully argues against the broadcast, suggesting that devout Muslims likely know prayer times and that alternative methods can achieve the same purpose without impacting the broader neighbourhood.
One of the primary concerns with broadcasting the adhan is its potential to disrupt the quiet residential environment surrounding Lakemba Mosque, located on Wangee Road among single-storey homes and low-rise commercial buildings. Even a brief five-minute broadcast at midday on Fridays could disturb residents, including those working from home, elderly individuals resting, or young children napping. The LMA argues that the timing minimises disruption, as most people are at work or school, but this assumption overlooks the diversity of modern schedules, particularly in a post-Covid era where remote work is common. For non-Muslims, or those unaffiliated with the mosque, the sound of loudspeakers might feel intrusive, regardless of its brevity.
Moreover, the cumulative effect of weekly broadcasts could transform a one-time inconvenience into a recurring disturbance. Residents who value a consistently peaceful neighbourhood might find the regular use of loudspeakers challenging, especially if they do not share the religious context of the adhan. Approving this proposal could also set a precedent, encouraging other religious or community groups to request similar broadcasts. This risks escalating noise levels in the area, complicating the council's ability to regulate fairly and maintain a balanced soundscape for all residents.
The adhan traditionally serves as a reminder for worshippers to attend prayers, but in 2025, its necessity as a public broadcast is questionable. Devout Muslims are typically well-versed in the five daily prayer times, including the Friday Jummah, which holds special significance. Modern technology—smartphone apps like Muslim Pro, watches with prayer alerts, and mosque websites—provides precise, personalised notifications, rendering loudspeakers largely redundant for the faithful. In a tech-savvy community like Lakemba, where the mosque is a central hub, these tools are widely accessible and discreet, ensuring worshippers are informed without impacting others.
Additionally, the broadcast's reach extends beyond its intended audience. While nearly two-thirds of Lakemba's population is Muslim, the adhan would be heard by everyone within earshot, including non-Muslims or Muslims who do not attend the mosque. This raises the question of whether a public announcement is justified when the target audience is already engaged and informed. Alternative communication methods, such as WhatsApp groups, email alerts, or mosque social media channels, offer targeted solutions that respect the privacy of the broader community. These approaches align with global trends, as mosques in tech-forward cities increasingly rely on digital tools to connect with worshippers efficiently.
Beyond practical concerns, broadcasting the adhan risks creating a perception of imposition in a diverse neighbourhood. While the LMA frames the proposal as a celebration of cultural inclusion, some residents might interpret it as prioritising one group's religious expression over others. In a multicultural society like Australia, maintaining neutrality in public spaces is critical to ensuring all residents feel equally valued. For non-Muslims or those of other faiths, the regular sound of a Muslim call to prayer could feel exclusionary, even if unintentional, potentially straining community cohesion.
The LMA cites examples of adhan broadcasts in cities like London, New York, and Auckland, suggesting they demonstrate harmonious accommodation of faith. However, these cities often face similar debates about balancing religious freedom with secular public spaces, and their experiences do not necessarily translate seamlessly to Lakemba's context. In Australia, where multiculturalism thrives on mutual respect, preserving a neutral soundscape could be seen as equally important to avoid favouring any single group.
Furthermore, the LMA's claim of "overwhelmingly supportive" community feedback and no formal objections, requires scrutiny. The absence of objections does not guarantee universal approval, as some residents might hesitate to voice concerns publicly due to fears of being perceived as intolerant. Informal positive feedback, while encouraging, may not reflect the full spectrum of opinions, particularly from those who value a quiet neighbourhood over symbolic gestures of inclusion. The council must ensure it captures a comprehensive view of community sentiment before deciding.
From a regulatory perspective, the proposal introduces practical challenges. While permissible under zoning with council consent, the broadcast must comply with local noise regulations, which could vary by time and decibel level. The council would need to establish clear guidelines and monitor compliance to prevent disputes, such as ensuring the broadcast remains limited to five minutes weekly. Any deviation—whether in duration, frequency, or volume—could prompt complaints, requiring additional resources to mediate and enforce.
The mosque's precedent of broadcasting the adhan during Ramadan 2020, under Covid-19 lockdown conditions, does not automatically justify a permanent arrangement. Those broadcasts responded to exceptional circumstances, when in-person gatherings were restricted, and community needs were unique. Today, with normal operations resumed and digital tools widely available, the rationale for regular broadcasts is less compelling. Approving this proposal risks setting a standard that other mosques or religious institutions might follow, complicating zoning and noise management across Sydney.
Ultimately, the case against the broadcast rests on the principle that religious practice is a personal responsibility best exercised privately or within community settings like the mosque itself. Devout Muslims, are likely to know their prayer times and have access to reminders tailored to their needs. Public broadcasts, while traditional, are not essential in a modern context where technology bridges gaps efficiently. By limiting religious expressions to private or semi-private spaces—such as inside the mosque or via personal devices—the proposal respects the shared public environment, ensuring all residents feel accommodated.
This approach does not diminish the adhan's spiritual significance. Instead, it acknowledges that faith can be practiced meaningfully without external amplification, preserving harmony in a diverse neighbourhood. The mosque could explore internal broadcasts within its premises or enhance digital outreach to engage worshippers, balancing religious freedom with community considerations.
The proposal to broadcast the adhan at Lakemba Mosque, while rooted in cultural and religious significance, raises valid concerns about noise, necessity, and community impact. The potential for disruption, even if minimal, combined with the availability of modern alternatives, suggests that loudspeakers are not the most harmonious solution. In a multicultural society, maintaining a neutral public space respects all residents, fostering inclusion without prioritising one group's expression. By encouraging private or digital reminders, the mosque can uphold its traditions while ensuring Lakemba remains a cohesive, peaceful community for everyone.
The LMA's emphasis on multiculturalism and the absence of formal objections deserve consideration, but the council must weigh these against long-term implications for all residents. Rather than amplifying the adhan publicly, the mosque can lead by example, leveraging technology to connect with worshippers discreetly and inclusively. This approach honours both faith and the shared neighbourhood, proving that religious devotion and community harmony can coexist without compromise.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14582177/lakemba-mosque-prayer-new-plan.html
"Australia's largest mosque could begin broadcasting the Muslim call to prayer from loudspeakers every week under a proposal lodged with a Sydney council.
Lakemba Mosque, also known as the Masjid Ali Bin Abi Talib, has proposed to affix four loudspeakers to its minaret in a new bid to the Canterbury-Bankstown Council in Sydney's west.
It would be the first mosque in Sydney to broadcast the call to prayer - known in Arabic as the adhan - regularly throughout the year.
According to planning documents, nearly two thirds of the Lakemba population identified as Islamic in 2021 while nearly one quarter spoke Arabic at home.
The proposed development would be permissible under zoning restrictions with council's consent, according to the application.
The mosque is owned and operated by the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), a community-based non-profit organisation established in 1962.
A spokesperson for the LMA told Daily Mail Australia the proposal was 'modest in nature but deeply meaningful to our community.'
'If approved, it reflects the growing recognition of Australia's multicultural identity and religious diversity,' the spokesperson said.
Lakemba Mosque is a Sunni place of worship. It's opening in 1977 was attended by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and is widely considered to be Australia's most significant mosque.
The mosque is situated on Wangee Road among mostly single-storey residential dwellings and low-rise commercial buildings.
The five-minute call to prayer would be broadcast once a week prior to the Friday prayer, referred to as the Jummah.
'The adhan would be broadcast around midday on Friday, a time when most people are at work, school, or otherwise active, minimising any potential disruption,' the LMA spokesperson said.
'Importantly, local residents and community members have been overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal. For many, it represents cultural inclusion and the freedom to express one's faith peacefully in public life.'
The LMA spokesperson said they had not received any 'formal objections' through the council application process.
'Informal feedback from the surrounding neighbourhood has been respectful and positive. We understand the importance of balance, and this proposal has been designed to uphold religious expression while maintaining harmony with local residents.'
The mosque broadcasted the call-to-prayer during Ramadan - the holiest month in the Islamic calendar - during the Covid-19 lockdowns in May 2020.
'The adhan is a traditional and peaceful call to prayer—a reminder for worshippers to attend the mosque,' the LMA spokesperson said.
'It is not a sermon, speech, or call to action, but a spiritual moment marking the significance of prayer time, especially on Fridays. The adhan is already publicly broadcast in cities around the world, including London, Birmingham, Auckland, Toronto, Stockholm, New York City, and parts of the Netherlands.'
'These examples show how cities around the world accommodate faith and culture respectfully and harmoniously.'