Saudi Arabia puts restrictions on usage of loudspeakers in mosques

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday issued a circular imposing restriction on the use of external loudspeakers in mosques. The circular issued by the minister of Islamic affairs, Sheikh Dr Abullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, asked the mosques to only use the loudspeakers for Azaan (call for prayer) and iqamat (the second call for the congregational prayer), local media reported.

According to the circular the use of loudspeakers during prayer is limited to inside the mosque and the level of loudness should not exceed one-third of the level of the loudspeaker device, and warning against applying penalties to those who violate it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396410129319354369

As per media reports, the ministry relied upon Sharia evidence and rules, which fall under the rule of “no harm or harm”, in addition to the fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen and Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, not to use external amplifiers for usage other than the call to prayer.

This harms patients, old people, and children in the houses in the vicinity of the mosques.

In addition, the ministry clarified that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home. “In addition to the fact that reading the Quran on external amplifiers is disrespectful to the Quran when it is recited loudly using external loudspeakers, while no one is listening to and pondering on its verses,” said to the circular.



This is not the first time that the Saudi ministry has talked about loudspeakers in mosques in the country, as the minister of Islamic affairs had previously asked mosques to reduce the loudspeakers in mosques, during the month of Ramadan in 2019.



In a video released by the ministry in April of 2019, the Saudi minister called on imams and muezzins to “be kind to worshipers in their mosques and neighborhoods by reducing voices that harm people.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1122930637902614529

Use loudspeakers only for Azaan, Iqamat: Saudi govt to mosques

The Saudi government said that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home.

www.siasat.com

 

[The Accountant]

KSA is changing is sooner than expected.

 

[313ghazi]

MashaAllah, why should Muslims hear the sound of the Quran in a Muslim country.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

my respected friends, please try to understand this from the social point of view. I support this move fully and only a country like KSA can implement that and wont be bullied by thugs like TLP or TTP or JUI etc.
the use of loudspeaker in mosques should be restricted to Azan only.

those who have not come to the mosque must not be subjected to hours of loud speaking Khutba of Molvis who use it to admonish and some kind of powerful punishment. as a political tool etc,

just because the loudspeaker will have someone with sweat voice praising Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH or reciting Holy Quran or reciting the tragic events of the Kraballah for hours end doesn't make it legitimate and socially acceptable (yes , in same spirit use of Loud speaker for non religious reasons must be also restricted).

we have patients, children and old people who have no means of sound proofing or escaping when the loud speakers are blasting at maximum decibels. Islam is a social religion with no intention of torturing or imposing the sermon down the throat.

 

[RealNapster]

MashaAllah, why should Muslims hear the sound of the Quran in a Muslim country.

Because Quran is meant to be read and heard by Muslims . Kaafiro ko ni. It's like "why should Muslims do wuzu"...

Btw I do think loudspeaker use should be limited to azaan only. Because we have Masjids every 50 meters away and they all install so many loud speakers.

 

[313ghazi]

Because Quran is meant to be read and heard by Muslims . Kaafiro ko ni. It's like "why should Muslims do wuzu"...

Btw I do think loudspeaker use should be limited to azaan only. Because we have Masjids every 50 meters away and they all install so many loud speakers.

I agree there should be a sensible limit. For example no need for loud speakers at isha and fajr time for broadcasting namaz etc. However i think it should be a code of conduct, rather than bans.

 

[denel]

I agree there should be a sensible limit. For example no need for loud speakers at isha and fajr time for broadcasting namaz etc. However i think it should be a code of conduct, rather than bans.

Frankly, i have no issues - ban is over-zelous. Just need to establish rules.

Azan is norm from east to west of africa/north to south.

If you look at the post i did a few days back of Prez Magufuli - Prez Kenyatta was addressing on his funeral, he hears azan and stops until azan is over. In our continent, it is part of life and not hearing it feels odd.

 

[عقاب]

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday issued a circular imposing restriction on the use of external loudspeakers in mosques. The circular issued by the minister of Islamic affairs, Sheikh Dr Abullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, asked the mosques to only use the loudspeakers for Azaan (call for prayer) and iqamat (the second call for the congregational prayer), local media reported.

According to the circular the use of loudspeakers during prayer is limited to inside the mosque and the level of loudness should not exceed one-third of the level of the loudspeaker device, and warning against applying penalties to those who violate it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396410129319354369

As per media reports, the ministry relied upon Sharia evidence and rules, which fall under the rule of “no harm or harm”, in addition to the fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen and Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, not to use external amplifiers for usage other than the call to prayer.

This harms patients, old people, and children in the houses in the vicinity of the mosques.

In addition, the ministry clarified that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home. “In addition to the fact that reading the Quran on external amplifiers is disrespectful to the Quran when it is recited loudly using external loudspeakers, while no one is listening to and pondering on its verses,” said to the circular.



This is not the first time that the Saudi ministry has talked about loudspeakers in mosques in the country, as the minister of Islamic affairs had previously asked mosques to reduce the loudspeakers in mosques, during the month of Ramadan in 2019.



In a video released by the ministry in April of 2019, the Saudi minister called on imams and muezzins to “be kind to worshipers in their mosques and neighborhoods by reducing voices that harm people.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1122930637902614529

Use loudspeakers only for Azaan, Iqamat: Saudi govt to mosques

The Saudi government said that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home.

www.siasat.com

Loud speaker permission is only justified for Azan and Iqaman

its not just molvis in Pakistan who go over the board with loud speakers , landay waly liberals and londay in car turn the volume up as if loud speaker

 

[Indos]

I agree there should be a sensible limit. For example no need for loud speakers at isha and fajr time for broadcasting namaz etc. However i think it should be a code of conduct, rather than bans.

Nope, Isha and Fajr time should still broadcasting Adzan. It is what is the beautiful inside any Muslim countries.

I know as some one living in England you are not used to hear Adzan every 5 times a day. Jumah prayer also the Kutbah will be connected to outside speakers so people who cannot pray inside the mosque can still hear it (Indonesia case)

 

[VCheng]

the level of loudness should not exceed one-third of the level of the loudspeaker device

Nice caveat. All a mosque needs is a 10,000 watt concert hall system. Problem solved.

 

[khansaheeb]

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday issued a circular imposing restriction on the use of external loudspeakers in mosques. The circular issued by the minister of Islamic affairs, Sheikh Dr Abullatif Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, asked the mosques to only use the loudspeakers for Azaan (call for prayer) and iqamat (the second call for the congregational prayer), local media reported.

According to the circular the use of loudspeakers during prayer is limited to inside the mosque and the level of loudness should not exceed one-third of the level of the loudspeaker device, and warning against applying penalties to those who violate it.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1396410129319354369

As per media reports, the ministry relied upon Sharia evidence and rules, which fall under the rule of “no harm or harm”, in addition to the fatwa of Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen and Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, not to use external amplifiers for usage other than the call to prayer.

This harms patients, old people, and children in the houses in the vicinity of the mosques.

In addition, the ministry clarified that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home. “In addition to the fact that reading the Quran on external amplifiers is disrespectful to the Quran when it is recited loudly using external loudspeakers, while no one is listening to and pondering on its verses,” said to the circular.



This is not the first time that the Saudi ministry has talked about loudspeakers in mosques in the country, as the minister of Islamic affairs had previously asked mosques to reduce the loudspeakers in mosques, during the month of Ramadan in 2019.



In a video released by the ministry in April of 2019, the Saudi minister called on imams and muezzins to “be kind to worshipers in their mosques and neighborhoods by reducing voices that harm people.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1122930637902614529

Use loudspeakers only for Azaan, Iqamat: Saudi govt to mosques

The Saudi government said that communicating the imam’s voice in prayer is specific to those inside the mosque, and there is no legitimate need to convey it to those in the home.

www.siasat.com

Pakistan needs to follow suit.

 

[RealNapster]

Frankly, i have no issues - ban is over-zelous. Just need to establish rules

Ban is not solution. Making things bearable is the way. If you are in a neighbourhood and suddenly 4-5 mosques around you suddenly go crazy, you may think of reducing the number of loudspeakers or there should be a limit on volume.

 

[denel]

Ban is not solution. Making things bearable is the way. If you are in a neighbourhood and suddenly 4-5 mosques around you suddenly go crazy, you may think of reducing the number of loudspeakers or there should be a limit on volume.

You need to be in Cairo to see it; actually it is not that bad as it being said.

In Rabat, it was really peaceful; they have good speakers quality wise bad speakers teally are mess up.

If you ever get a chance to visit Ethiopia - same thing - prayers overnight into daytime around timket.

 

[m52k85]

Before Pakistanis start criticizing be reminded after this change the practice will become the same as in Pakistan.

 

[truthfollower]

Saudi minister defends order to turn down the volume on mosques

ReutersPublished May 31, 2021 - Updated about 11 hours ago




In a circular last week, the Islamic Affairs Ministry said loudspeakers on mosques should not be set higher than a third of their maximum volume. — AFP/File

Saudi Arabia's Islamic affairs minister on Monday defended an order to lower the volume on mosque loudspeakers, saying families had been complaining that competing speakers were keeping their children awake.
In a circular last week, the Islamic Affairs Ministry said loudspeakers on mosques should not be set higher than a third of their maximum volume. Speakers that are used to broadcast the call to prayer and the signal for prayers to start should then be switched off, rather than continue to broadcast full prayers and sermons.
The changes come at a time of wider reform to the role religion plays in public life under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who has eased some strict social restrictions while allowing no political dissent.
It was too early to say for certain how much of an impact the new directive was having on the soundscape in the kingdom. Four residents of the capital Riyadh reached by Reuters on Monday said some, but not all, mosques appeared to have become somewhat quieter. At least one mosque appeared to be broadcasting full-length prayers, as loudly as before.

In a video released by state broadcaster Al Ekhbariyah, Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif al-Sheikh said the changes were a response to complaints from the public over excessive volume, including from the elderly and parents whose children's sleep was being disrupted.
“Those who want to pray don't need to wait for ... the imam's voice. They should be at the mosque beforehand,” he said, adding that there were also several television channels broadcasting prayers.
Some Saudi Twitter users welcomed a reduction in noise in their areas, though others said they missed being soothed by prayers.
One Saudi user, identified as Mohammad al-Yahya, tweeted: “As long as the reading of the Holy Quran through loudspeakers has been muted on the excuse that it disturbs a few people, we hope that attention is given to a large segment bothered by loud music in restaurants and markets.”
Al-Sheikh said some criticism of the policy was being spread by “haters” to cause trouble.
“Enemies of the kingdom want to stir public opinion, cast doubt on the state's decisions and dismantle national cohesion through their messages,” al-Sheikh said.