Mahim Juma Masjid Trust launch Online Azan app amid loudspeaker row

Mahim Juma Masjid Launches Online Azan App Amid Loudspeaker Row

Context:

Amid restrictions on the use of loudspeakers for the Azan (call to prayer) in urban Mumbai areas, the Mahim Juma Masjid Trust launched a mobile application named ‘Online Azan’. This initiative allows devotees to listen to the Azan live on their mobile phones in real-time without violating legal limits on noise.Key Features of the App:

• Live Streaming: Plays the Azan exactly when delivered from the mosque.
• Masjid Registration: Users can select a registered mosque and its associated reciters.
• Notifications: Alerts users before Azan time, ensuring timely participation.
• User Base: Over 100 downloads reported initially.

Significance:

• Religious Continuity: Ensures uninterrupted access to the Azan for devotees despite urban noise regulations.
• Digital Adaptation: Demonstrates use of ICT (Information & Communication Technology) to address socio-religious challenges.
• Conflict Mitigation: Provides a legal alternative to loudspeaker use, avoiding potential clashes with authorities over court-mandated decibel limits (45–56 dB).
• Community Engagement: Reflects proactive measures by religious institutions to leverage technology for inclusivity and accessibility.

Policy & Governance Dimensions:

• Urban Noise Regulation: Highlights tensions between religious practices and municipal noise control policies.
• Minority Rights: Reflects concerns of minority communities regarding enforcement of regulations on places of worship.
• Innovation in Public Participation: Encourages tech-based solutions to resolve conflicts between tradition and regulatory compliance.

Challenges:

• Scalability: Adoption beyond a small number of users may require wider awareness and technical support.
• Digital Literacy: Requires devotees to have smartphones and familiarity with app usage.
• Regulatory Oversight: Must ensure that streaming does not inadvertently violate other public order or noise regulations.
  
  Updated -  June 27, 2025 04:51 am | The Hindu