Penang gov't not involved in loudspeaker ban, says mufti

The Penang mufti has expressed regret over the various criticisms against the state Fatwa Council on its decision to ban the use of loudspeakers for the recital of verses from the Quran before dawn prayers.

Mufti Hassan Ahmad (left) said the criticisms against the council for reportedly coming to an abrupt decision on the matter was "unprofessional and thoughtless".

He said the decision to ban the use of loudspeakers for the recital of verses from the Quran was made at a meeting of the council on April 7, and this was approved on June 16.

"The decision is not a fatwa but advice based on Islamic law to be used as a guide and clarification from an Islamic point of view for all Muslims in the state to follow and obey," Hassan told a press conference in Penang today.

"There was no pressure from any quarter, whether from the state government, any organisation or any individual regarding the matter," he added.

Hassan was referring to a recent Berita Harian report which stated that the national fatwa council said that the state fatwa council should have consulted muftis from other states before making such a decision.

Its chairperson, Abdul Shukor Husin, also told the Malay daily that there was no need for such a prohibition as mosques and suraus should be able to judge based on whether they were located in a Muslim-majority area or not.

However, Penang's decision received support from Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the Perlis mufti and PAS Youth.

Meanwhile, Hassan said Islam prohibited the use of loudspeakers, except for the call to dawn prayers and other religious routines, such as the sermon.

He said there was nothing in the Quran or Hadith that stated that Muslims could raise their voices (or in the modern context, use loudspeakers) to disturb others.

Ensuring the peace of others

"In Islam, it is our responsibility to ensure the peace of others, unless there are reasons to do otherwise, as required by religious law," he said.

"Although the recital of Al Quran and Zikir is a good thing, we cannot force others to listen to our recitals," he added. "To obey this is not a political matter."

Hassan clarified that he could only call for a press conference today to explain matters as he had just returned from abroad two days ago.

He said the role of the Mufti's Department' was merely to advice and it could not force all Muslims to follow its decisions, unless the matter had been gazetted as a fatwa.

But since this was a religious requirement, such as prayers, Muslims should obey or ultimately answer to God themselves, he added.

Hassan said he was ready to explain to the National Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jakim) but has not been asked to do so.

He allayed any fears that the call to dawn prayers through the loudspeakers would also be banned, saying, "It is not an issue."

Hassan also refuted an Utusan Malaysia report saying that non-Muslims had complained about the loudspeakers.

"So far, only Muslims have called to ask for clarification," he added. - Malaysiakini