After facing a severe backlash from the community, the Karnataka Waqf Board took a u-turn on its previous circular and issued a fresh notification on Wednesday that the ban on loudspeakers in mosques from 10 pm to 6 am was not about restricting the morning azan or call for prayer.
The board had issued a circular to all the mosques and dargahs in the state not to use loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am. However, stating that the contents of this circular was misrepresented, Waqf Board CEO Y M Mohammed Yousuf issued a fresh circular on Wednesday.
“The prohibition of usage of loudspeaker was misrepresented as prohibition for morning azan, which is not correct,” the CEO said.
“Nothing will prevent morning azan using loudspeakers by complying the standards prescribed above in the rules.”
The previous circular said that congregational prayers, Friday Khutba (sermons), religious, socio-cultural and knowledge-based-functions must be held with speakers installed within the religious premises.
The board claimed that the decision was taken based on the alleged “deleterious effects on human health” due to the use of loudspeakers for azan and their alleged effect on “psychological well-being”.
Karnataka Hajj and Waqf Minister Anand Singh had also said there is no need for Azan to be played on the loudspeaker throughout the day, sending a message that using loudspeakers for azan throughout the day will be banned soon too.
Singh said that a PIL has been filed in the Karnataka High Court over the issue of alleged disturbance due to Azan on loudspeakers. He said the government will implement it by talking to community leaders and other stakeholders.
The previous order drew a sharp reaction from the leaders of the Muslim community.
