New Delhi: Israeli authorities have come under criticism over alleged increased restrictions on the Islamic call to prayer in 1948 occupied Palestine. Under environmental and noise control laws, hundreds of financial fines have reportedly been imposed on mosque muezzins, a move that Palestinians say undermines religious freedom and Islamic identity.
Palestinian lawyer Khaled Zabarqa said that in the city of Lod alone, mosque imams have received more than 150 financial fines from Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection for using loudspeakers to deliver the call to prayer.
According to Zabarqa, every muezzin is facing notices or financial penalties, placing an economic burden on them while directly violating their right to freedom of religion.
He further argued that these measures go beyond routine administrative action. According to his statement, the policy reflects coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, local municipalities, and Israeli police to restrict the Arab and Islamic presence and silence the Muslim call to prayer.