Jakarta: Indonesia's highest Muslim clerical council has decided to look into a review of guidelines on the use of loudspeakers in mosques. In fact, for some time now, many people in this country have been complaining about these loudspeakers. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world. There are 6.25 lakh mosques and 80 per cent of the country's population of 270 million is Muslims.

The country's Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an order in 1978 that acts as a guideline on the use of loudspeakers in mosques. However, in a fatwa issued early this month following continued public complaints, the Indonesian Ulema Council said these guidelines are being reconsidered once to prevent current social mobility and growing problems. Most mosques in Indonesia use loudspeakers for Azan. Many of these loudspeakers are not good, which is why people are complaining about noise pollution.

Talking to the media, Masduki Badlovi, spokesman for Indonesian Vice President Maruf Amin, said that religious scholars have taken note of people's concerns over the uncontrolled use of mosque loudspeakers. We noticed that it has become a big problem, especially in urban places, he added. Guidelines have been given for loudspeakers, but these were not being followed properly. Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Yakut Cholil Kumas has welcomed this decree. He said that more judicious and careful use of loudspeakers has become necessary for the management of mosques.

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