A woman wearing a burka was escorted from a Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday after playing a recording of the Islamic call to prayer during the public comment period. The incident occurred as residents were speaking against the potential expansion of a local mosque.
The woman approached the podium and, instead of speaking, activated a recording. Board Chairman Dave Eggers intervened when the audio played for nearly a minute, citing county rules that require verbal comments. "Ma’am, you’re going to have to stop ... stop the music, stop the tape," Eggers stated.
When the woman did not comply, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy escorted her out of the meeting room. Her removal led to audible friction among some audience members, prompting Eggers to remind attendees of the board's decorum and rules, which prohibit playing recordings during public comment.
The meeting was addressing a recent 4-3 vote on October 13 where the board approved a land-use amendment for the expansion of Masjid Al Rahman. The amendment changed the property's land use from residential rural to public and semi-public, allowing for a larger replacement structure.
During Tuesday's public comment, some speakers voiced opposition to the mosque's expansion, with concerns raised about the treatment of women in some Muslim-majority countries and the perceived ideology of Islam. Others spoke in support of the mosque, noting long-standing neighborly relations.
Commissioner Vince Nowicki had previously questioned why the mosque's designation was not plainly stated in government documents, suggesting that all applicants should receive the same clear description in materials presented to residents.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the woman was removed without further incident and will not face criminal charges.