Israel’s anti-Adhan bill to fuel extremism, OIC warns

By Sami Ahmed

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned a fresh Israeli attempt to ban the Muslim call to prayer (Adhan) being broadcast through loudspeakers.

On Sunday, the Israeli Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a revised version of the bill, which will go to a preliminary vote in the parliament.

The new bill calls for banning the Muslim call to prayer being broadcast through loudspeakers from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“This is a brazen violation of international treaties that guarantee free worship and the right to practice religious rituals,” the OIC said in a statement on Monday.

OIC Secretary-General Yousef Al-Othaimeen, for his part, warned that the Israeli bill risks to fuel extremism, according to the statement.

He called on the international community to pressure Israel to abide by international law and treaties and “halt these violations and assaults that threaten security and stability in the region”.

An earlier draft of the bill was met with opposition from Ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers over concerns about how it might also affect Jewish religious practices.

Palestinians have rejected the law claiming it deprives Muslims of their right to freedom of religion.