Israeli Lawmakers Advance Bill Restricting Mosque Calls to Prayer

Israeli Lawmakers Advance Bill Restricting Mosque Calls to Prayer
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Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, is moving forward with a proposed bill that would impose tighter regulations on the Muslim call to prayer, or adhan, in mosques. The draft legislation would require special permits for the use of loudspeakers and grant police authority to halt broadcasts and confiscate sound equipment, raising concerns about potential limits on religious practice.

Under the proposal, mosques or their administrators could face substantial financial penalties, amounting to tens of thousands of shekels, for alleged noise violations. The bill frames the call to prayer as a public disturbance issue and establishes a strict licensing and oversight system, making operators personally liable and allowing enforcement actions at any time.

The initiative has drawn criticism from rights advocates, who argue it reflects broader policies that increasingly restrict Islamic religious expression. Critics say the bill risks redefining a central religious ritual as a regulatory matter rather than a protected freedom. International human rights standards emphasize that freedom of worship is a fundamental right and a key element of social coexistence.