It is a routine, no, a part of the Muslims’ culture to have their prayers heard over the loudspeaker. But this new ban has the people in a tiff.
A public notice issued by the commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) asking that prayer services at the Muslim burial ground (kabrastan) should not be conducted by using a loudspeaker has created a furore among the Muslim community of St Inez.
Panaji Corporation Commissioner Ajit Roy, in an order issued here earlier this week, has said that the order was passed in order to prevent breach of peace and tranquility in nearby areas.
“It has been brought to the notice from surrounding area at St. Inez, Panaji, that the prayers are carried out through loudspeakers/public address system with very high decibels at the burial ground of Muslim(s) kabrasthan (graveyard) at St. Inez,” said the order dated November 24, when city was playing host to the 48th International Film Festival of India, the country’s biggest film event.
“The community should ensure that no prayers to be held on Muslim burial ground/kabrastan by loud speakers/public address systems so as to avoid disturbing the public peace and tranquility in the surrounding area,” the order further reads.
The Jamat Ul Muslamia Gausia Sunni Trust of St Inez has condemned the move of the CCP. It stated that prayers are conducted at the mosque and not at the burial ground. The CCP commissioner can visit the mosque and verify it for himself, it stated.
“The move has really hurt the religious sentiments of Muslim community. The CCP should immediately withdraw the notice it has issued or else they will gherao the commissioner,” said Babani Shaikh in the statement.
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