Overview
Following the removal of loudspeakers from religious structures in Mumbai due to court-ordered noise regulations, mosques have adopted innovative solutions to continue the broadcast of azaan, including direct speaker connections in residential homes and a specialized mobile application.
Loudspeaker Ban and Its Impact
- Police removed 1,608 loudspeakers from religious sites in Mumbai, including 1,149 from mosques, following court directives.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that Mumbai had become loudspeaker-free.
- Petitions have been filed in the Bombay High Court, claiming the ban infringes on religious freedom.
Technological Alternatives Implemented
- Some mosques have connected speakers directly to residential flats, enabling residents to hear the azaan within their homes.
- This preemptive installation helped avoid conflicts after loudspeakers were removed.
- Approximately 50 homes in Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd, benefit from this system.
Adoption of the OnlineAzan App
- The OnlineAzan app, developed in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, allows users to hear real-time azaan from their specific mosque.
- Over two dozen Mumbai mosques, including Mahim Juma Masjid and Sunni Badi Masjid, now use this app.
- The app was created by lawyer Allapitchai M to help those far from mosques; it is now used in 250-300 mosques in Tamil Nadu.
- Access to the app is free, and mosques can request to be added through its website.
Community Response and Uptake
- Noor Masjid in Cheeta Camp, Trombay, was the first in Mumbai to use the app, followed by two nearby mosques.
- WhatsApp groups are used to encourage widespread community adoption of the app.
- Many have started using the app while awaiting court decisions, ensuring azaan continues without loudspeakers.
Background and Significance of Azaan
- The azaan is a traditional call to prayer for Muslims, historically amplified via loudspeakers to reach more people.
- Mosques are adapting to restrictions by leveraging technology to maintain religious practices.