KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — The proposed edict in Penang banning the use of loudspeakers for mosque programmes other than the azan (call to prayer) is in line with Islamic teachings that prohibits Muslims from disturbing the peace when practicing their faith, Perlis Mufti Datuk Asri Zainul Abidin said today.
Explaining the matter on his Facebook, the religious cleric said Islam only allows the azan to be amplified and does not encourage the use of loudspeakers for programmes like zikir or Quran recital as they could encroach public peace.
"What Islam tells us to amplify is only the azan. Even if other than that, it is not meant to go as far as disturbing public peace.
“In fact it was even prohibited by Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. In Islam, preserving the peaceful lives of others is pivotal with the exception of anything that is permitted by the syarak (Islamic laws)," Asri wrote.
The Perlis mufti added that while the Quran recital or the zikir are encouraged, they cannot be "imposed" on others by using loudspeakers.
"Maybe there are those who want to recite them later, or at another time. Maybe there are children who are sleeping or there are those ill," he pointed out.
Asri also said the habit of doing the zikir or reciting the Quran on loudspeakers could falsely portray Islam to other adherents as an insensitive religion, noting that those of other faiths would not be able to differentiate between the azan and other programmes.
"It can create a bad impression of Islam, which is actually harmonious. This is because other programmes tend to be long when the azan is actually only five minutes long," he said.
Asri noted that even in Saudi Arabia, its mufti had issued an edict declaring illegal the use of loudspeakers for purposes other than the azan as the loud sounds could disrupt public peace.
"So even if Saudi Arabia, whose population are all Muslims, what about us?" Asri said, pointing to Malaysia's plural society.
Two days ago, Bernama reported that Penang will gazette a decision to ban the use of loudspeakers outside mosques and suraus except for azan or the call to prayer.
The report was based on a letter from the Penang Mufti’s Office dated September 1 that stated it had been agreed that the use of loudspeakers outside mosques and suraus is prohibited for the reading of the Quran before dawn, all programmes and meetings.
The move drew criticism and allegations from leaders from Umno who accused the Penang DAP government of being anti-Islam. Some of them had also claimed that the ban included the azan, a move they said would incite Muslim anger against the DAP-led Penang administration.
The Penang government has since denied playing any part in the issue, saying it has never interfered in the decisions made by the state mufti’s office of the fatwa committee.
Commenting on the criticism, Asri urged Muslims not to politicise the issue, reminding the community again that such a ban is in line with the Prophet Muhammad's teaching of respecting public peace.
"Those loud voices are actually not helping people to love Islam more but instead create a bad impression about us," he said.
