The Karnataka Waqf Board has issued a circular barring the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am during azan for all the mosques and dargahs in the state. The circular also noted 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”.
The circular has has caused a stir in the community, with prominent religious and political leaders slamming the order.
Opposing the move, Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi, imam of the city’s Jama Masjid told The Cognate, “Islam mandates that we do not cause disturbance to our neighbours, we have been working on a regulatory apparatus to make sure the volume is within allowed limits, in such a way that it cannot be increased even if one wants to. We were also planning that only one masjid gives the azan via loudspeaker, in areas where there are many. However, this sudden unnecessary move has watered down all our efforts. We strictly oppose it, it is totally unacceptable.”
Sheikh Ajaz Nadwi, the imam of Markazi Masjid Ahle Hadees Charminaar said, “There have been few issues in few areas, however, a ban is not necessary, other options to regulate and solve the problem could have been looked into.”
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also lashed out at the Waqf board for overstepping its jurisdiction. Abdul Hannan, State President, SDPI said the board’s duty is to protect the Waqf properties, and not to give dictates on Namaz and Azan.
The Waqf Board’s circular further notes that loudspeakers used during the day must be as per the ambient air quality standards, with respect to noise. It calls for a noise-governing apparatus to be installed in the institution in consultation with local environment officers. The management of the institutions shall train the muezzin (the person who gives the call to prayer at a mosque) to operate the amplifier within the prescribed limit.
Further underlining the “silence zones”, the circular said any violation will be liable for a penalty.
“The area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts have been declared as ‘silence zones’. Whoever uses any sound amplifier, or burst sound-emitting firecrackers, uses a loudspeaker or public address system in the silence zone is liable for penalty under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,” it said.
‘No need for loudspeakers throughout the day for Azan’: Karnataka Hajj and Waqf Minister Anand Singh
Although the Waqf Board circular only bars the use of loudspeakers during Fajr azan, however in a press meeting Karnataka Hajj and Waqf Minister Anand Singh on Wednesday 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.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
