Reform needed for Azan from mosques: Soz

Srinagar, Apr 23:Welcoming Pakistan minister’s decision on “Azan” ( call for prayers) former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz said that this much needed reform would be welcomed by all.
“Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Ministry deserves appreciation for its decision to reform in saying of Azan on loudspeakers in a manner that the Azan from a particular Mosque is not heard in the other locality”, Prof Soz said in a statement here this afternoon.
He said that is to say, decibels relating to the voice from loudspeakers has been controlled and regulated properly and a situation of calm and tranquility prevails all around.
This reform has been consolidated throughout Pakistan, Prof Soz said.
He said visitors to Pakistan in recent times were pleasantly surprised that Azan in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan and other towns is not heard in market places and areas outside the localities. Pakistan’s civil society, especially, the student community, has expressed great satisfaction on this reform.
Here in Kashmir, the Auqaf-e-Islamia could help not only by controlling decibels for use of loud speakers, but also designating prominent places alone for saying of Azan on loud speakers, such as Jamia Masjid, Dargah Hazratbal, Khankah Mualla, Dargah Hazrat Sultan, Imam Bara, Dargah Chrar-e-Sharief and other shrine.
This is much needed reform and everybody would welcome such a reform, he said.