Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
1 December 2023 | 10:28am CAT
1-min read

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday, 28 November 2023 rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) application claiming that the Adhan is a disturbance and should thus be banned.

Nisaar Nadiadwala, a writer on social and religious issues in India, discussed the matter during an interview on Radio Islam International. Nadiadwala explained that the court found that the Adhan, lasting for a maximum of three minutes, was not a significant disturbance. The court acknowledged that objections mainly came from non-spiritual perspectives and asserted that a brief call to prayer in the morning did not constitute noise pollution.

When the issue reached the court, it initially maintained a low profile, with limited coverage in the media. However, upon the court’s verdict, English media outlets brought attention to the ruling, making it a headline news story. “When the jury came out with a verdict and some English media, they put it on the main headlines, this became a news. Otherwise, it was a low-profile case,” Nadiadwala noted.

The impact, according to Nadiadwala, has been positive, instilling confidence in the minority, particularly the Muslim community, that their interests are recognised. “It gives a sense of confidence to the minority, especially the Muslims, that our interests are heard. And we are allowed to continue with the Adhan in the morning also now, all five times,” he said.

He addressed potential fears that a ruling against the Adhan could spark similar applications in other parts of India, given the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and the Hindutva agenda. Contrary to this concern, he clarified that it’s not reflective of widespread anti-Muslim sentiment but rather a nuanced issue.

He highlighted that even if the judgment had gone against Muslims, it likely would have impacted only the pre-dawn Fajr prayer, similar to restrictions in Mumbai, where the Adhan is prohibited between 10 pm and 6 am. Nadiadwala pointed out, “If at all the judgment would have gone against the Muslims, it would have been for the Fajr prayers. Not for the rest of the four prayers.”

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.