Loudspeakers in mosques

Loudspeakers in mosques are generally used for Adhan or "call to prayer", or sometimes for Khutbah or sermons. External loudspeakers are generally mounted on tall minarets. Mosque loudspeakers are used for a call to prayer, five times a day. Loudspeakers, other than external ones, are sometimes also used inside the mosque to deliver sermons or for Prayer.
External loudspeakers are often kept at a very high volume, so that the sound is heard as far as 5km. In areas where more than one mosque is present, the loudspeaker sounds overlap one another, especially in the early morning when sounds are more clearly heard. This noise sometimes results in people of other religions migrating away from a mosque's area in order to avoid the noise, along with other factors.
== Opposition ==
There has been opposition to outdoor loudspeakers in western countries. In Cologne Mosque project in Germany the installation of loudspeakers are opposed and stopped. In Oxford, UK it was opposed saying that broadcasting using loudspeakers would turn the city into a Muslim ghetto. In Al-Islah Mosque Michigan, US, the installation of outdoor loudspeakers was opposed.
It is even opposed, though unsuccessfully, in India where Muslims are minority.
Supporters of loudspeakers argue that it is freedom of religion to use them.
== Misuse ==
Loudspeakers are often misused for political purposes which was opposed by govt. authorities. Loudspeakers sometimes used to guide or incite the riots. Incidents reported in Acre, Israel, in Indonesia, near Lahore, Pakistan and Nandurbar, Maharashtra state, India. Pakistan even banned use of loudspeakers other than for "Call to Prayer" following a riot.
== See also ==
* Church bell
* Noise pollution
* Riot
== References ==
Category:Loudspeakers
Category:Mosques
Category:Noise pollution