Synchronised Azaan

This refers to the news report, ‘Nizam-e-Salaat to be expanded to other parts of country’ (May 27). During former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s time, Azaan or the Islamic call to worship also used to take almost an hour because various mosques had their own time preferences. This led to a decline in tourism, adversely affecting the foreign exchange earnings of the country.
To tackle the situation the Egyptian government devised a brilliant system. They recorded Azaan read by a very melodious person and it lasted exactly 25 seconds. Taking full advantage of modern technology, they relayed this Azaan to all the mosques in Cairo exactly at the same time and also toned down the volume of loudspeakers so as not to disturb tourists. Why can the government in Pakistan not do the same?
Asad A Khan
London
UK
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This refers to the news report, ‘Nizam-e-Salaat to be expanded to other parts of country’ (May 27). The decision to enforce uniformed Azaan and Namaz timings in the federal capital while knowing very well that this may not be acceptable to some sects as per their interpretation of religion is hard to digest.
There was criticism over the scheme being implemented without taking other sects on board. Why is the Ministry of Religious Affairs getting into sectarian conflicts? It is time to join ranks and show unity – not to put an already stretched sectarian fabric to further tests.
Masood Khan
Jubail
Saudi Arabia
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This refers to the news report, ‘Nizam-e-Salaat to be expanded to other parts of country’ (May 27). This augurs well for religious harmony and tolerance, which is almost vanishing from our society.
The effort by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to develop a consensus among various religious sects on uniform Azaan timings is commendable. It is hoped that this decision will be practised throughout the country.
Nazia Jabeen
Lahore