SAUDI ARABIA’S ISLAMIC AFFAIRS MINISTER DEFENDS VOLUME LIMIT ON MOSQUE LOUDSPEAKERS

Tue 01 June 2021:

Saudi Arabia’s Islamic affairs minister is defending a contentious order restricting the volume of mosque loudspeakers, saying it was prompted by complaints about excessive noise.

In a major policy last week in a country home to the holiest Muslim sites, the Islamic affairs ministry said the speakers should be set at no more than one-third of their maximum volume.

The order, which also limited the use of loudspeakers mainly to issue the call to prayer rather than broadcasting full sermons, triggered a conservative backlash on social media.

بالله عليكم وين الازعاج في الموضوع !!
والله مافيها الا راحة نفسية وطمأنينة
اعيدو لنا مكبرات الصوت في المساجد 💔#مكبرات_الصوت pic.twitter.com/jkcuMrbhah

— #فيصل_الحارثي🇸🇦 (@faisal_messi_10) June 1, 2021

Translation: Where is the disturbance in this! It brings nothing but peace and comfort. Give us back loudspeakers in mosques.

Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif al-Sheikh said on Monday the order was in response to citizens’ complaints that the loud volume was disturbing children as well as the elderly.

“Those who want to pray do not need to wait for … the imam’s” call to prayer, al-Sheikh said in a video published by state television.

“They should be at the mosque beforehand,” he added.

Several television channels also broadcast prayers and Quran recitals, Sheikh said, suggesting the loudspeakers served a limited purpose.

In a country home to tens of thousands of mosques, many welcomed the move to reduce the decibel levels.

But the decision also stirred resentment on social media, with a hashtag calling for the banning of loud music in restaurants and cafes gaining traction.

Sheikh said criticism of the policy was being spread by “enemies of the kingdom” who “want to stir public opinion”.

The policy follows de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping liberalisation drive, which has pushed a new era of openness in parallel with what observers call a de-emphasis on religion.

The young prince has eased social restrictions in the ultra-conservative kingdom, lifting decades-long bans on cinemas and women driving while allowing gender-mixed attendance at music concerts and sporting events.

The relaxed social norms have been welcomed by many Saudis, two-thirds of whom are under 30, while riling ultra-conservatives.

File image: Restrictions on the volume of loudspeakers in mosques have received a mixed response in the country (AFP via Getty Images)

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