Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Affairs minister has defended a controversial order that has limited the volume of mosque loudspeakers in the Kingdom.

Last week the Islamic affairs ministry made it policy that any broadcast from mosques should be no more than one-third of their maximum volume. Further, the broadcasting of full sermons has also been affected by the order with only the call to pray being allowed. Al Jazeera reports a backlash on social media followed the order, with users posting that there was no disturbance in what brings peace and comfort. Social media users also responded by calling for the banning of loud music in restaurants and cafes.

Al Jazeera reports that Abdullatif al-Sheikh claimed that the ministry had  decided to limit the volume in the wake of complaints about unwarranted ‘noise’. He claimed there had been complaints that the loud volume was disturbing children and the elderly. Al-Sheikh on Monday said, “Those who want to pray do not need to wait for … the imam’s call to prayer. They should be at the mosque beforehand,” and went so far as to say that ‘enemies of the kingdom’ were behind criticism of the policy.

According to Al Jazeera, observers have noted what they have termed a de-emphasis on religion as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s so called ‘liberalization’ drive. MBS, as he is commonly known, has introduced to the Kingdom several social changes such as the introduction of music concerts, including those of mixed gender. The powers of Saudi Arabia’s ‘religious police’ have also been severely constrained.

Ironically, while MBS keeps focused on the creation of a supposed “moderate” state, he simultaneously fiercely cracks down on dissent.

Umm Muhammed Umar