Lagatar24 Desk
Allahabad, May 6: The Allahabad High Court ruled on Friday that delivering the azaan is not a basic right. The court made the comment while dismissing a petition submitted by Irfan of Budaun, who wanted to use loudspeakers in the Noori Masjid to perform Azaan.
“The law has now been settled that use of loudspeaker from mosque is not a fundamental right. Ever otherwise a cogent reason has been assigned in the impugned order. Accordingly, we find that the present petition is patently misconceived, hence the same is dismissed,” said the court.
The court also noted that while azaan is an important element of Islam, it is not part of the religion to give it through loudspeakers.
“Azaan is an integral part of Islam, but giving it through loudspeakers is not a part of Islam,” a bench headed by Justice BK Vidla and Justice Vikas said.
In its ruling on the case, a two-judge bench of the Allahabad High Court observed that courts have already held that the use of a loudspeaker to call for prayer is not a basic right. Notably, Azaan is the Islamic call to prayer, which is recited five times during the day at specific intervals.