The decision of the authorities of Saudi Arabia to restrict the volume of loudspeakers at mosques has sparked controversy.
Last week, Abdullatif al-Sheikh, the country’s Islamic affairs minister, directed that speakers in mosques should be limited to more than one-third of their maximum volume.
According to the minister, the directive was issued owing to complaints from the public that the noise from the speakers is disturbing to children and elderly persons.
The decision sparked mixed reactions in the country, as some were against the directive, while others supported it.
Those who were against the order demanded that the ban should be replicated in restaurants and cafes.
Amid the controversy, on Monday, al-Sheikh defended the decision, noting that those who want to pray should not wait for the Imam’s call.
He described those who are against the directive as “enemies of the kingdom”, who want to stir public opinion.
“Those who want to pray do not need to wait for … the imam’s” call to prayer,” al-Sheikh was quoted by Aljazeera.
“They should be at the mosque beforehand.”
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia will make an order to change age-long practices, especially those relating to Islamic doctrines.
In 2020, it announced the relaxation of certain laws to allow unmarried couples to cohabitate and on the use of alcohol.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025 The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their…
Disaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight An Abuja-Lagos flight was…
NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and…
BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year The federal government has unveiled…
EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)…
FG gets fresh $134m loan from AfDB for agric projects The Federal Government has secured a…