New regulation on use of loudspeakers at mosques
Published: 06:04 PM,Apr 09,2023 | EDITED : 10:04 PM,Apr 09,2023
The Sultanate of Oman has urged mosques in the country to limit the use of loudspeakers to call for prayers and not during the prayers. The directive will come into force from Monday.
Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, announced the decision on Sunday through a Ministerial Decision (181/2023) amending some provisions of the regulations for mosques.
According to the amended Article 1 that stated that Article 39 shall be replaced by the following text, “The use of external loudspeakers in mosques and prayer halls shall be limited to raising the call for prayer.'
Speaking to the Observer a highly placed source in the ministry said the decision was not new but it's an implementation of an existing rule that was passed some 10 years ago.
'But there are exceptions,' said the source.
'External loudspeakers can be used for, first, call for prayers, second, for Friday ( Juma Prayers), and third, two Eid prayers to make people know about them,” he added.
Speaking to the Observer, Imam Ibrahim Faizi, who leads prayers at different mosques, welcomed the decision.
'The decision to limit the use of loudspeakers in public to call for prayers and within the prayer halls is a welcome move. Most of the people who want to pray are aware of the prayer timings and they will come to the mosques some five minutes after the call,' Faizi said.
'We are fine with the prayer recitations within the four walls of the mosque and we welcome the decision,' another believer added.
Article 56, which is newly added to the existing set of articles, further says that an administrative fine of not exceeding RO 1,000 will be imposed on whoever violates the provisions of the regulation.
@kabeeryousef
Dr Mohammed bin Said al Maamari, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, announced the decision on Sunday through a Ministerial Decision (181/2023) amending some provisions of the regulations for mosques.
According to the amended Article 1 that stated that Article 39 shall be replaced by the following text, “The use of external loudspeakers in mosques and prayer halls shall be limited to raising the call for prayer.'
Speaking to the Observer a highly placed source in the ministry said the decision was not new but it's an implementation of an existing rule that was passed some 10 years ago.
'But there are exceptions,' said the source.
'External loudspeakers can be used for, first, call for prayers, second, for Friday ( Juma Prayers), and third, two Eid prayers to make people know about them,” he added.
Speaking to the Observer, Imam Ibrahim Faizi, who leads prayers at different mosques, welcomed the decision.
'The decision to limit the use of loudspeakers in public to call for prayers and within the prayer halls is a welcome move. Most of the people who want to pray are aware of the prayer timings and they will come to the mosques some five minutes after the call,' Faizi said.
'We are fine with the prayer recitations within the four walls of the mosque and we welcome the decision,' another believer added.
Article 56, which is newly added to the existing set of articles, further says that an administrative fine of not exceeding RO 1,000 will be imposed on whoever violates the provisions of the regulation.
@kabeeryousef