Al-Aqsa imam warns against Israeli bill to ban Muslim call to prayer

Al-Aqsa imam warns against Israeli bill to ban Muslim call to prayer Submitted by Mera Aladam on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 08:16 Sheikh Ekrima Sabri says Israel has 'no right' to pass such a bill as an occupying power A Muslim man prays outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during Friday noon prayers in the Old City of Jerusalem, 10 April 2026 (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP) Off The imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque has warned against an Israeli bill that would legalise restrictions on the Muslim call to prayer after it was approved by a ministerial committee on Sunday. Sheikh Ekrima Sabri said efforts to curb the adhan - the Islamic call to prayer - had resurfaced after "repeated failed attempts to ban it or reduce its volume". "The current attempt to ban the Muslim call to prayer has taken a dangerous turn by legalising the banning of the call to prayer through issuing a law to prohibit it," he said on Monday. The proposed legislation was approved on Sunday by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, following its submission by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and National Security Committee chair Zvika Fogel. The committee plays a key role in determining whether proposed legislation advances to a preliminary reading in Israel's parliament, the Knesset. Although the committee has endorsed the bill, it must still be approved by the Knesset. No date has yet been set for a vote. Under the proposal, the installation or operation of loudspeaker systems would be prohibited by default unless a permit is obtained. Approval for loudspeaker use would depend on criteria set by Israeli authorities, including volume levels, noise-reduction measures, a mosque's location, its proximity to residential ar...

Original source: Middle East Eye