Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith has opposed public broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer, saying it is not part of American culture or history. The remarks were reported on August 16 after Beckwith answered a viewer’s question in his “Ask Micah Anything” video series about why adhan should be silenced if church bells are allowed. He did not identify a specific mosque, local dispute, or proposed ban.

Beckwith suggested that people who want to hear the adhan should go to countries where the practice is part of local tradition and history. He also said mosques could send text messages to members when it is time for prayer instead of broadcasting the call publicly. The report describes the comments as part of his broader criticism of Islam, which intensified from May.

Maliha Jafar, executive director of the Indiana Muslim Advocacy Network, said she knew of no Indiana mosque that broadcasts the adhan outdoors through loudspeakers. She said Muslim communities are concerned about safety amid hostile public rhetoric and reported increased mosque security and active-shooter training. The report also cited museum and Library of Congress information indicating Muslims have been present in North America since the 1500s.