SHAH ALAM, Feb 17: Mosque and surau administrators in the state are reminded to comply with the guidelines on the use of external loudspeakers set by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).
Its director Dato’ Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said about 60 per cent of the complaints that JAIS received were related to the misuse of the equipment outside the permitted hours.
He said since 2017, loudspeakers are only allowed for five minutes before and during the azan, while their use throughout the tarawih prayers is an offence.
"We have received various complaints, but 60 per cent were related to loudspeakers. In many of the cases, the nazir (mosque official) forgot to switch to the internal loudspeaker during the religious lectures," he told Media Selangor.
Shahzihan said the matter must be viewed seriously as failure to abide by the set guidelines.
Shahzihan said the matter must be taken seriously, as failure to comply with the established guidelines may result in legal action.
“Quran recitals and the azan are permitted on loudspeakers, but religious lectures must use internal speakers only.”
"This directive was issued and enforced due to past incidents where, among others, the preachers were using excessively loud voices or delivering topics related to politics... We must maintain harmony."
In October 2017, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj decreed that the use of loudspeakers for lectures and talks must be limited to inside mosque and surau buildings only, except for the azan and recitation of the Quran.
The restriction aims to uphold the image of Islam, which prioritises the overall well-being of the community.
