On November 13, proposed legislation to limit religious institutions from using outdoor loudspeakers, called the “muezzin bill,” after the Muslim call to prayer, was authorized by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. This Wednesday (30 November), the bill will come up for a preliminary vote.
The law has aroused much controversy among the Israeli public. Proponents of the proposal point to the ‘noise pollution’ people suffer because of the muezzins. Supporters also point to the muezzin’s potential use of the loudspeakers to incite violence. However, many have strongly opposed the proposed legislation saying the bill is discriminatory, populist and unnecessary, as there are already noise laws that apply to mosques and other institutions.
The call to prayer from the minarets stirs controversy in other countries as well. Several European countries limit the muezzin’s call to prayer (and in some cases the height of minarets) including the Netherlands, Germany, France, the UK, Austria, Norway and Belgium. Switzerland completely prohibits the call to prayer. Cairo and some cities in Saudi Arabia also put limitations on the call to prayer.
Our tour included meetings with:
MK Moti Yogev (the Jewish Home), who proposed the legislation
MK Ahmad Tibi (leader of the Arab Movement for Change), a vocal opponent of the law
Ofer Ayobi, Chairman of the Gilo neighborhood administration, a social and political activist, who reached an independent agreement about the noise with the Mukhtar of neighboring Beit Safafa, and residents of Gilo
Sheikh Muhammed Elyan, the Mukhtar of Beit Safafa and its residents
The muezzin of the mosque of Beit Safafa, during the call for prayer
