The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs issued a circular to all its branches in the Kingdom requiring that mosques be directed to "limit the use of external loudspeakers to raising the call to prayer (Athan) and Iqama only."
The ministry indicated in a statement published on its official website that the loudness of the devices should not exceed a third of the level of the loudspeaker, and that legal action should be taken against whoever violates.
The ministry relied on the circular signed by Minister Sheikh Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, this decision is a procedure for managing and controlling mosques, which number about 98,000 mosques, according to the figures of the Saudi Statistics Authority in 2017.
In most Arab and Islamic countries, the use of loudspeakers is limited to the call to prayer only.
The decision came into effect on May 23, when witnesses said on social media that there was silence in cities such as Riyadh during the Maghrib and Ishaa prayers.
The Islamic Affairs, in the words of its Minister Al Sheikh, warned legal action against violators.
