Proposal to allow Muslim call to prayer in western Wisc. town withdrawn following pushback

A proposal to allow an audible call to prayer for the Muslim community in the western Wisconsin town of Barron drew backlash during a recent city council meeting.

Council member Isaak Mohamed says Barron is home to hundreds of Somali residents.

That community was hoping to better practice the daily prayers that are a part of the Muslim faith by playing amplified calls to prayer from two local mosques.

But Mohamed says discussions on the proposal were heated last week. Ultimately, the Somali community chose to withdraw the request.

Right now, very few cities across the country allow amplified calls to prayer. However, Minneapolis became the first large American city to allow the broadcasts this summer.