Jeddah: 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.
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.
Read also: India’s manufacturing growth slides to 10-month low: IHS Markit
“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.
