Muezzin Law Moves Forward in Knesset

YERUSHALAYIM
A Muezzin is seen next to a mosque in the northern city of Acre (Akko). (Flash90)

The Knesset’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved on Sunday the Muezzin Law, paving the way for its passage in the plenum in the coming days.

The revised version of the bill, reported by the committee, provides for any house of prayer using outdoor loudspeakers between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. being subject to a fine of at least 5,000 shekels ($1,333). Originally, the bill had not specified the hours of prohibition, and would have applied to daytime hours as well.

The bill, authored by MK’s Motti Yogev (Jewish Home) and David Bitan (Likud), is intended to end disturbances caused by the Muslim calls to prayer played at high volume using loudspeakers in mosques around the country.

Having gained coalition backing, the bill is virtually assured of passage in the near term.

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