The decision of the Saudi authorities to restrict the use of speakers in the country’s mosques has provoked many reactions in cyberspace. Twitter users responded by posting the hashtag “We want the return of prayer speakers”.
Last week, the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdul Latif al-Sheikh ordered all mosques in the country to limit the use of loudspeakers to the call to prayer and to reduce the volume of loudspeakers to one-third of the loudspeakers.
A Twitter user mockingly wrote: “Thank God we can still hear the pre-prayer voice on TV and follow it. I pray that this situation continues and for some who hear the voice of God’s prayer. “It bothers them, does not go away.”
The decision to limit the speakers was made following a reduction in social restrictions by order of the Saudi Crown Prince in recent years. One of his most important orders was to allow a music concert and end the ban on mixing men and women, at a time when the country is still suffering from freedom of expression and the opposition is being detained by the government.
“Despite the corona and the emptiness of the streets, at least do not deprive us of what we have become accustomed to throughout our lives,” another user wrote.
“Why should we be deprived of the sound of prayer for a few minutes when music is not forbidden despite being forbidden and is played everywhere?” Said, one user.
Speaking in a video message broadcast by state media, Mr Sheikh labelled such critics “enemies of the kingdom” who want to “stir public opinion”.
“Those who want to pray do not need to wait for… the imams,” he said in the video. “They should be at the mosque beforehand.”
Mr Sheikh said several television channels also broadcast prayers and Quran recitals, suggesting the loudspeakers served a limited purpose
