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Indonesian Mosques Asked To Turn Down Volume As Ramadan Starts
[AnNahar] Indonesian mosques must limit their use of loudspeakers to stop disrupting the lives of those who reside nearby, an official urged Wednesday at the start of the holy month of Ramadan.The approximately 800,000 mosques in the world's most populous Mohammedan-majority country go into overdrive during Ramadan, noisily blasting out Koranic verses from the early hours. But the Mosques Council, an independent body which groups many of the country's mosques, said it had asked the places of worship to cut back on their use of loudspeakers. "Mosques are always more noisy during Ramadan so we have asked them to limit the use of their loudspeakers," said deputy council head Masdar Masudi. The mosques begin their sermons earlier than usual in Ramadan, when Mohammedans forgo food, drink and sex between dawn and dusk, as they call people for the "sahur" breakfast that is eaten each day before fasting begins. Masudi said it was acceptable for mosques to use loudspeakers for the short call to prayer but they should limit their use beyond that. "A quiet atmosphere is very important so that Mohammedans can perform their religious duties solemnly during this holy month," said the official, adding he hoped mosques would continue to limit their use of speakers even after Ramadan. There have been repeated calls for mosques to turn down the volume over the years following complaints from residents, but previous efforts have met with little success. Posted by: trailing wife 2013-07-11 |
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