Saudi link Arabia’s Islamic affairs ministerlink Monday defended a contentiousorder restricting the volume link of mosque loudspeakers, saying it was prompted by complaints in theconservative Muslim nation 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 morethan one-third of their maximum volume link.
The order, which also limited the use of loudspeakerslink mainly to issue the call toprayer rather than broadcasting full sermons, triggered a conservativebacklash on social media.
Islamic Affairs Minister link Abdullatifal-Sheikh said the order was in response to citizens’ complaints that theloud volume link was causing disturbance tochildren as well as the elderly.
“Those who want to pray do not need to wait for… the imam’s” call toprayer, Sheikh said in a video published by state television.
“They should be at the mosque link,”he added.
Several television channels also broadcast prayers and koran recitals,Sheikh said, suggesting the loudspeakerslink served a limited purpose.
In a country home to tens of thousands of mosques, many welcomed the moveto reduce the decibel levels.
But the decision also stirred resentment on social media, with a hashtagcalling for the banning of loud music in restaurants and cafes gainingtraction.
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Sheikh said criticism of the policy was being spread by “enemies of thekingdom” who “want to stir public opinion”.
The policy follows de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’ssweeping liberalisation drive, which has pushed a new era of openness inparallel with what observers call a de-emphasis on religion.
The young prince has eased social restrictions in the ultra-conservativekingdom, lifting decades-long bans on cinemas and women drivers whileallowing gender-mixed music concerts and sporting extravaganzas.
The relaxed social norms have been welcomed by many Saudis, two-thirds ofwhom are under 30, while riling arch-conservatives.
Saudi link Arabia has clipped the powers ofits religious police, who once elicited widespread fear, chasing men andwomen out of malls to pray and berating anyone seen mingling with theopposite sex.
Prince Mohammed has promised a “moderate” Saudilink Arabia as he attempts to break with itsaustere image, while simultaneously cracking down vigorously on dissent.
Over the past three years, the kingdom has arrested dozens of womenactivists, clerics, journalists as well as royal family members. -APP/AFP
