Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Defends Volume Limit on Mosque Loudspeakers
Abdullatif Al-Sheikh said it was prompted by complaints 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 more than one-third of their maximum volume.
The order, which also limited the use of loudspeakers mainly to issue the call to prayer rather than broadcasting full sermons, triggered a conservative backlash on social media.
Al-Sheikh said on Monday the order was in response to citizens’ complaints that the loud volume was disturbing children as well as the elderly.
“Those who want to pray do not need to wait for … the imam’s” call to prayer, al-Sheikh said in a video published by state television.
“They should be at the mosque beforehand,” he added.
Several television channels also broadcast prayers and Quran recitals, Sheikh said, suggesting the loudspeakers served a limited purpose.
In a country home to tens of thousands of mosques, many welcomed the move to reduce the decibel levels.
But the decision also stirred resentment on social media, with a hashtag calling for the banning of loud music in restaurants and cafes gaining traction.
Sheikh said criticism of the policy was being spread by “enemies of the kingdom” who “want to stir public opinion”, Al Jazeera reported.
The policy follows de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping liberalization drive, which has pushed a new era of openness in parallel with what observers call a de-emphasis on religion.
The young prince has eased social restrictions in the ultra-conservative kingdom, lifting decades-long bans on cinemas and women driving while allowing gender-mixed attendance at music concerts and sporting events.
The relaxed social norms have been welcomed by many Saudis, two-thirds of whom are under 30, while riling ultra-conservatives.
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