Ohio Mosque Fined as Fire Alarm Proves to Be Prank

COLUMBUS, Ohio, 9 October 2007 — Confusion reigned at the local Masjid Al Noor on Saturday, as taraweeh prayers were suddenly halted after four rak’ahs.

“Stop praying, leave the mosque now, do not stop for your shoes, please go outside now,” the voice on the microphone said sparking a rush to the exit doors as people started pushing and shoving to be the first out of the mosque.

A fire brigade and fire fighters were seen in full gear marshalling the people out. But where was the fire?

The Columbus fire department had responded to an emergency call from the mosque. It turned out to be a false alarm. Some naughty kids had pulled the fire alarm mounted on the walls, while their parents prayed.

The fire marshals were not amused. The mosque was fined $1,000. After an inspection of the building, the firefighters left, issuing a citation and a strict warning to the mosque. Prayers were resumed after an hour.

The male worshippers at the mosque were able to vacate the premises within minutes of the warning. But the women could hardly move because their area is smaller and also on the second floor. They had to move in a single file because of the stairway. This created panic among some women who screamed and pushed. Some women refused to leave their shoes saying they could not walk without them.

If it had been a real fire, there is every possibility that the casualty would have been high. The mosque authorities need to look into these matters and ensure better safety measures. The incident also gave the lobby that has been fighting to keep small kids out of mosques some ammunition.

Every year, especially during Ramadan and Eid, tempers flare as children run amok during prayers. The mosque provides free babysitting and activities to children during prayer hours, but it has not been successful in keeping the children under control.

One woman told Arab News, “This is the second time the mosque has been fined following a false alarm. A kid did the same thing last year. I am afraid that if a real fire breaks out, we’ll think its some child being naughty again.”