Saudi Arabia has come forward recently applying a whip on the ‘loud-speaking mosques’ of the country. As per Abdullatif al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, “the speakers should be set at no more than one-third of their maximum volume”. 

Further, “if mosques fail to implement the order, it might lead to the imposition of a penalty”. Further still, ‘the mosques can use loudspeakers only for Azan (call to prayer) and the Iqamat (second call for communal prayer) and not for broadcasting full sermons’.

The restriction was imposed at the rear of serious complaints from the citizens about excessive noise from the mosques that was “disturbing children and the elderly”. Besides, “those who want to pray do not need to wait for the Imam’s call to prayer”, wisely added the Minister in a video shown by state television. 

The ground-breaking reform is part of the ‘sweeping drive of liberalization’ pioneered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Several socio-economic reforms have been launched by him in view of modernizing the country. ‘Lifting the decades-long bans on cinemas and allowing women to drive’ are among them the recent past has witnessed. 

For all obvious reasons, the reform has enraged the traditionalist and the notorious Wahhabi school of Islam and has shaken the Sunni-dominated kingdom of the desert, in respect of the iron grip of the Islamic identity. The ministry is reported to have pronounced a similar order in 2009, which could not take off due to hostile response then. But, history is not likely to repeat itself, despite the online backlash “we demand the return of mosque speakers”.

The Prince rightly realized that reputation of the Monarchy stood in need of being improved for attracting foreign investors and tourists to the country. That in turn necessitated lifting the bridle from the policing of religion and of their curators and bringing up to date the extremely conservative kingdom. The above measure was an outcome of this valid insight.  

In addition, in spite of or with the holiest sites of Islam in the land, the austere image of the Muslim kingdom required a shake off. The ‘global extremism’ of the oil-rich kingdom has hardly any bright future, worth the name. Therefore, the vigorous crackdown on dissent applied by Crown is an upshot of the positive measures, even though ‘freedom of expression’ in this line remains a matter of concern.      

In line with the modern times, ‘becoming an economically driven country’ and ‘being appealing to the larger world’ is the new drive of Saudi Arabia today. ‘Music in restaurants’ was once a taboo in the kingdom, but is in vogue, as part of efforts for making the society liberal. ‘Shops and restaurants now remain open during the five daily Muslim prayers’, unbelievable some time ago. 

To say the least, post-oil times seem to hold priority over religion, as mostly the rest of the world seem to conduct itself in terms of the most fashionable idea of development in the world. The government of Saudi Arabia appears to be strong on its feet on policies of a liberal society today. “The country is re-establishing its foundations”, opines Aziz Alghashian, a lecturer of politics at University of Essex. Well, Saudi Arabia seems to be bent on editing itself for re-defining its national and religious image on the platform of the world, rightly so.   
Coming back to our country, famous Hindi film singer Sonu Nigam tweeted on the issue in question on 16 April 2017, “God bless everyone. I am not a Muslim. I have to be woken up by the azan in the morning! When will this forced religiousness end in India?” No wonder, sharp reaction emerged from several corners, right or wrong.  

The Bombay high Court in 1952 passed a ruling that “celebration of festivals should not disturb the peace and tranquility of the neighbourhood” and instructed the authorities to regulate the use of loudspeakers at night at Navatatri and Ganesh festivals. The Supreme Court of India pronounced a clear-cut verdict in 2005, “banning the use of loudspeakers at night between 22 hours and 6 hours in public places”. The Allahabad High Court affirmed in 2014 that “right to freedom from noise pollution is a fundamental right, of which no violation can be allowed”.    

Accordingly, noise pollution in public places caused by loudspeakers, generators, high volume sound systems and pressure horns by vehicle near hospitals, schools and other educational institutions have to be ended. But, day or night, use of microphone continues heartlessly, for religious or social purposes. The auspicious time for marriage processions, along with amplified singing, music and dance on the roads, begins only after the sleeping time has started, as per the ‘muhoort’ (right time) of the religious pundits. 

Disturbing the sick and the weak, elderly persons and studying children, along with a battalion of peace-loving people, unscrupulously and callously has become the norm of the day in our country. We seem to be living in ‘uncivilized’ days. Literacy and education have not helped. Religious and pious engagements have not awakened the ‘conscience’ of the people, in terms one’s duty towards others. Constitutional mandates and guidelines of the courts have not made any difference in the democratic India.   

Will our Muslim brethren in India re-consider the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, after the fashion of Saudi Arabia? Will the custodians of all religious groups appropriate the required measures to ensure that the fundamental right of all citizens to peaceful life is not violated by festivals and even social celebrations? Will the administration, along with the police, rise from their deep slumber and stand up on their duty to do all that is possible to help people live in peace and harmony. At any rate, what becomes a ‘nuisance’ is not faith. ‘Goodwill, courtesy and fraternal concern’ is the right spirit of faith and life. Rabindra Nath Tagore reminds us, “Into that heaven of freedom my Father, let my country awake”! 
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The author is Director of Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, New Delhi. He could be contacted at ‘mdthomas53@gmail.com’.