Pinellas County meeting disrupted by Islamic call to prayer recording

A woman wearing a burka was escorted from a Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners meeting in Florida after playing a recording of the Islamic call to prayer during the public comment period.

The audio played for approximately one minute before Board Chairman Dave Eggers intervened, stating that county rules require public speakers to provide verbal comments rather than playing recordings. When the woman refused to stop the audio, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy escorted her from the meeting room and the building.

The incident led to immediate friction among those in attendance, with several audience members shouting and arguing with the chairman regarding the removal. Eggers requested that the audience exercise decorum and kindness, noting that the board does not allow taped presentations.