Canterbury Bankstown Council in western Sydney has rejected a proposal to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer from Lakemba Mosque, citing concerns that the sound could create excessive noise for people living nearby.
The application sought permission for Australia’s largest mosque to install loudspeakers and broadcast the Adhan, the traditional Islamic call to prayer. The proposal called for the broadcast to take place once a week on Friday around midday.
The decision has renewed a debate in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba, where a large Muslim community has lived for decades. Supporters of the proposal say hearing the call to prayer would be a normal expression of religious faith and an important part of Muslim life.
Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which operates Lakemba Mosque, questioned why Muslims should not be allowed to broadcast their call to prayer when other religious traditions, such as church bells, are permitted in some communities.
“If the church bells are allowed to ring and we are in favour of those bells ringing then why are we not allowed to do the call to prayer?” Kheir said.
Opponents, however, say the issue is not about targeting Islam but about the effect of amplified religious sounds on nearby residents. Canterbury Bankstown councillor Barbara Coorey said she also opposed amplified church bells and did not believe any religious group should receive special treatment.
The council had previously rejected a similar application in 2025 after receiving hundreds of public submissions. Noise and the potential impact on surrounding homes and other properties were among the concerns raised during the earlier assessment.
Lakemba Mosque is one of Australia’s most prominent Islamic institutions and has long been a central part of the local Muslim community. The latest dispute reflects a wider conversation in Australia about religious freedom, multiculturalism and the need to balance religious expression with the interests of residents.
For supporters, the call to prayer would be a modest and limited expression of faith. For opponents, the council’s decision is about maintaining reasonable noise levels in a residential area. The disagreement is likely to continue as community groups and residents debate how Australia’s diverse religious traditions should share public spaces.
