End azaan on loudspeakers, it causes discomfort to others: Javed Akhtar
Azaan is an integral part of the faith, not the gadget, says veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar, asking that the Islamic call to prayer on loudspeakers should be stopped as it causes "discomfort" to others.
Azaan is an integral part of the faith, not the gadget, veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has said. He said the Islamic call to prayer on loudspeakers should be stopped as it caused ‘discomfort’ to others.
In a tweet on Saturday, Akhtar wondered why the practice was ‘halaal’ (allowed) when it was, for nearly half a century in the country, considered ‘haraam’ or forbidden.
“In India for almost 50 years Azaan on the loudspeaker was Haraam. Then it became halaal and so halaal that there is no end to it, but there should be an end to it. Azaan is fine but loudspeaker does cause of discomfort for others. I hope that atleast this time they will do it themselves (sic),” Akhtar tweeted.
In India for almost 50 yrs Azaan on the loud speak was HARAAM Then it became HaLAAL n so halaal that there is no end to it but there should be an end to it Azaan is fine but loud speaker does cause of discomfort for others I hope that atleast this time they will do it themselves
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) May 9, 2020
When a user asked his opinion on loudspeakers being used in temples, the 75-year-old writer said everyday use of speakers is a cause of concern.
“Whether its a temple or a mosque, if you’re using loudspeakers during a festival, its fine. But it shouldn’t be used everyday in either temples or mosques. “For more than a thousand years Azaan was given without the loudspeaker. Azaan is the integral part of your faith, not this gadget,” he replied.
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Earlier in March, Akhtar had supported the demand to shut mosques amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country, saying even Kaaba and Medina have been closed due to the pandemic.
He had also appealed to the Muslim community to offer prayers from home in the holy month of Ramzan, which began on April 24.
“I request all the Muslim brothers that now that Ramzan is coming, please say your prayers but make sure that this doesn’t cause problems to anyone else. The prayers that you do in the mosque, you can do that at home. According to you, the house, the ground, this all has been made by Him. Then you can do your prayers anywhere,” he had said.
