Why Saudi Arabia Limits Loudspeaker Volume in Mosques

Authorities at Saudi Arabia declares support for the policy of limiting loudspeaker volume in mosque-mosques in the country.

Ministry of Affairs Islam Saudi Arabia announced last week that all loudspeakers must be set to just a third of the maximum volume.

Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif al-Sheikh said the move was in response to complaints from the public.

But the move sparked various reactions on social media.

Hashtags calling for loud music to be banned in restaurants and cafes are starting to trend.

Sheikh said the complaints were among the parents who claimed that the loudspeakers from the mosque disturbed the children’s sleep.

Speaking in a video broadcast by state television, Sheikh said that those wishing to pray did not need to wait for the call to prayer.

He called those who criticized the policy online as “enemies of the kingdom” and claimed they “wanted to stir public opinion”.

The regulation to limit the volume of mosque speakers comes as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues efforts to make Saudi Arabia more liberal and reduce the role of religion in public life.

Social distancing policies have been relaxed, such as ending the ban on women drivers.

But the crown prince is also cracking down on freedom of expression in the country.

Thousands of critics have been arrested and jailed.

Places of worship are starting to open under strict supervision

Meanwhile, some of the most important sites in the Islamic world have reopened two months after the coronavirus pandemic forced them to close.

This opening allows the worshipers to enter it with strict rules.

Hundreds of Muslims poured into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, the third holiest site for Muslims, for dawn prayers on Sunday.

—

Some chanted “Allah is Great”, while others kissed the floor as the crowd entered the sacred compound.

Continue reading

Inside the mosque, precautionary measures were taken to reduce the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus.

—

Worshipers have their temperatures checked, stand apart from each other, and are asked to wear masks and bring their own prayer mats.

“After they opened the mosque, I felt I could breathe again. Alhamdulillah,” said Umm Hisham, a Jerusalem resident, looking emotional as he entered the mosque.

—

Al-Aqsa Mosque, and many other holy sites, have been restricted to worshippers since mid-March, meaning they cannot offer daily prayers during the month of Ramadan.

While the threat of the coronavirus persists, many countries are easing restrictions gradually after weeks of lockdown, opening holy places to worshipers and restricted visitors.

—

In Saudi Arabia on Sunday, there was a similar atmosphere at the Prophet’s Mosque in the city of Medina, as worshipers gathered for prayers.

The mosque is one of about 90,000 mosques being prepared for reopening by Saudi authorities.

Ahead of the reopening of mosques, millions of people are believed to have been sent written messages in multiple languages ​​informing them of the new rules during congregational prayers.

—

The written message, sent by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, ordered worshipers to pray separately within two meters, and refrain from greeting each other with hugs or handshakes.

The public is asked to perform the ablution ritual at home, because the bathroom in the mosque will remain closed.

—

Sermons and prayers last no more than fifteen minutes.

The Grand Mosque in Mecca will remain closed until further notice. The holiest site for Muslims, it is visited by millions of worshipers every year, where most of them perform the pilgrimage.

All photos are copyrighted.

–