Palestine’s supreme judge: Israeli bill to restrict Muslim call to prayer an attack on freedom of worship

The Supreme Judge of Palestine and Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash said on Monday that an Israeli bill aimed at legalising restrictions on the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) amounts to a “declaration of religious war against Islamic holy sites and rituals” and a direct attack on freedom of worship.

His remarks came in a statement responding to the approval on Sunday of a draft bill by Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation. The bill was submitted by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Al-Habbash said Israeli attempts to restrict the call to prayer in Jerusalem and among Palestinian communities inside Israel were “a direct assault on Muslims, the Islamic faith and freedom of worship”, adding that they rise to the level of a declaration of religious war against Islamic holy sites and practices.

Under the proposed legislation, no sound system may be installed or operated in a mosque without a licence. Approval of a licence would be based on the level of “noise” and the mosque’s proximity to residential areas.

According to a statement issued by Otzma Yehudit on Sunday, Israeli police officers would be authorised to order the immediate suspension of the call to prayer if the rules are violated. Continued violations could result in the confiscation of loudspeakers and the imposition of financial penalties.

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