Mosques and "calls for prayer"

[stoke001 at maroon.tc.umn.edu]

A Muslim student of mine is considering a research project on what he
believes is a common problem of local zoning laws (or other authority)
prohibiting mosques (in the USA) from broadcasting (through
loudspeakers, typically) from the top of a minaret a "call for prayer"
("azhan" in Arabic).  He says he has come across no cases or law
review articles on this issue.

There are some obvious parallels to cases involving "too noisy"
Baptist churches (has someone on the list had one of these?) and other
such situations.  Does anybody have any help for my student?

Respond either to the list, or if you prefer to go private, write to
Nabil Sabki at "nabil.sabki-1.tc.umn.edu".  Thanks.

Michael Stokes Paulsen
University of Minnesota Law School