New York, March 11 (QNA) – UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson has stressed protection of freedom of religion after a preliminary move by Israeli MPs to limit the Muslim call to prayer — adhan — through loudspeakers. “Of course we want to make sure that the rights of all, including the religious rights of all are respected,” Farhan Haq said Friday.
He said the effort seemed to be in its early stages. “We’ll have to see what happens with this as it proceeds,” he added. Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday approved a preliminary reading of the controversial bill, which would ban the use of loudspeakers to amplify the adhan between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
The bill proposes fines on violators ranging between the equivalent of $1,300 and $2,600. Second and third readings of the draft law must still be approved by a majority of Knesset members before the legislation becomes law. (QNA)
December 19, 2024
