I think if it were my decision I would refuse the request on the grounds firstly that Islam is not tolerant of other faiths and secondly that no faith has the right to impose its propaganda on those people who are not interested..
If the JWs or some other group, or even a church wanted to broadcast their propaganda in this way, I would similarly refuse any such planning consent.
Why are the Oxford Liberal Democrats dithering about it?

Steven Ring, South West UK,

In Hamtramack, Michigan the city caved in by declaring that the muezzin's call is a cultural feature to be allowed. At the same time the council prohibits the ringing of church bells under a noise ordnance.

I think western civilization is opting for suicide.

Jon Maynard, Lansing MI, usa

So they think they can walk into our country by the millions, then start abusing our religion! Now they want to wail out the top of a their church, this just gets worse! When i am finished with school i will be leaving this country to a country which respects faiths but also keeps the country's faith the most prominent.

Joe Carmichael, Leeds, England

I cannot believe this idea is being entertained. Not only is this a sop to a very small and radical minority which will irritate the majority to real violence , but also having worked in Istanbul (and I believe Cairo is worse) the endless competitive call to prayer causes noise pollution almost beyond endurance. The call to prayer nowadays is not carried out by some little old man with a beard - some heavy duty sound systems are involved. It is a stupid idea - every call to prayer is a recruitment prayer to the BNP and the National Front.

dave, slough,

What is it with these people? Do they think they are living in an Islamic country? Next they'll be wanting us to work on Sunday and make Friday our holy day.

Andy Gill, London,

I too have a suggestion. Allow the bells to ring and the muezzin to be broadcast, however, when they are broadcast, have a sound recognition unit on a roof top nearby that will then immediately kick in with a deep basso voice proclaiming "GODS ARE EVIL, RELIGION IS EVIL, EXISTENCE EXISTS" over and over until the muezzin and the bells stop. Cacophony would become symphony!

Capman, Victoria, Canada

i live in london and there are already similar calls for call to prayer here. i do not think this is a good idea; muslims through out the country ought to come clean with their intentions. if you have existed for so long without such a call, why the need for it now?

a sulaiman, london, uk

“I do not believe in the imposition of another culture on our country.”
It makes sense. Anyone immigrating to the UK or any european country for that matter needs to respect the cultures there rather than attempt to colonize with their own. The UK is not a muslim kingdom and that must be respected.

Chris, Hitchin,

Presumably a wrist watch with an alarm would remind people sufficiently?

Or perhaps a Text system to mobile phones for subscribers?

Hearing a loudspeaker will be annoying and intrusive in exactly the same way as being forced to hear music you don't like.

It is not a good idea at all.

Paul, Northampton, UK

Just thought of an idea which could help. The Mosque could have a 'call to prayer' transmitter rig installed on the roof (special frequency according to law) Each Muslim family in the vicinity could be provided with a small dedicated radio (money used from the collection box). Every 'call to prayer' could be transmitted from the Mosque to the homes of Muslims who could tune in to this call on their personal radio's. That way the message goes directly to those people who require it...and everyone is happy ?

Mohammed, London, UK

What rot. Who is he to decide what is un-English? I am English (for generations back) and I wasn't driven out of my home by the bell ringing on the quarter hour from St Mary's. I left the country, it's true, but only because of the Great British Inebriation and its resultant degradation of the society. I think as a clergyman he ought to be addressing that, rather than a call to prayer.

RW, Istanbul,

Actually i don't think 'calls to prayer' are necessary in our modern day hi-tech world. Everybody has access to Islamic prayer times via their mobile phones, Internet web sites, satellite/radio stations and other gadgets...even monthly leaflets picked-up from the Mosques. Calls to prayer are not going to increase the number of worshippers. It's only going to increase hatred of Muslims.

Mohammed, London, UK