Azerbaijani Mosques Told To Turn Down Call To Prayer
The Taza Pir Mosque in Baku
November 03, 2009
BAKU -- Some mosques in the Azerbaijani cities of Baku and Ganca have lowered the volume of their morning call to prayer as of November 1, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.
Rahima Dadasheva, the press secretary of the Caucasus Muslims Board, told RFE/RL that the volume was decreased to "lessen the problems" faced by people living in apartments near the mosques.
However, she admitted that there were no complaints from people living near the mosques.
Dadasheva said the issue is not important because the volume of the azan was only decreased in some mosques.
Human rights activists say the action is an infringement on religious freedom.
Some of the mosques did not issue the call at all on November 2 or 3.
State officials say the restrictions should not be considered a ban.