No Ban On Loudspeakers For Morning Azaan: Karnataka Waqf Board ‘Clarifies’ After Uproar Over Its ‘Misinterpreted’ Circular

After an uproar over the Karnataka State Waqf Board circular restricting the use of loudspeakers in mosques and dargahs between 10 pm and 6 am, the state body issued a ‘clarification’ saying the earlier notice was "misinterpreted”.

The board had earlier issued a circular prohibiting the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am during 'azaan' or the Islamic call for ritual prayers recited at prescribed times of the day.

In a circular, the board said the decision was taken to prevent noise pollution as the high noise levels around many masjids and dargahs have “deleterious effects on human health and the psychological well-being of the people”.

But reactions from community leaders that called the circular "needless" has had the board issuing a 'clarification’.

Bangalore Mirror quoted Jamia Masjid Imam Moulana Maqsood Imran Rashadin as saying there was no need for such a circular. “They should not have issued that circular as it unnecessarily created confusion among people,” he said.

The Waqf Board in its latest circular clarified that there were no curbs on the morning azaan.

“The contents of the circular have been misrepresented. The prohibition on using loudspeakers was misinterpreted as a prohibition for morning azaan, which is not correct, despite clear instructions that loudspeakers shall be used only for azaan, important announcements such as death, the timing of burial, the sighting of the moon, etc,” read the circular, as reported.

However, Minister for Haj and Waqf Anand Singh said the government looks forward to holding a discussion with community leaders to request them to stop using loudspeakers five times a day, as "residents in cities are complaining".

“It (the discussion) has become necessary as people have filed PILs in the high court, saying that this causes great inconvenience and disturbance to nearby residents. Implementation will be done after consulting all stakeholders and taking the community into confidence,” he said, as quoted.