Use WhatsApp to call for prayers, environment minister tells mosques

In Ghana, mosques and churches are seen to be compounding the
problem of noise pollution, according to a report by Deutsche
Welle.

In the capital, Accra, authorities are seeking to deal with the
noise caused by these places of worship, mosques in particular.

Mosques are being asked to use mobile text or WhatsApp messages
to call the Muslim community to prayer.

“Why is it that time for prayer cannot be transmitted with a
text message or WhatsApp? So, the imam would send WhatsApp messages
to everybody,” said environment minister Kwabena
Frimpong-Boateng.

“I think that will help to reduce the noise. This may be
controversial, but it’s something that we can think about,” he told
DW.

The government says it is hopeful such a change could contribute
to a reduction in excessive noise.

For many Muslims living in the capital, the idea of a mobile
call to prayer is more difficult to embrace.

Fadama community mosque imam, Sheik Usan Ahmed, calls Muslims to
prayer five times at prescribed times throughout the day. Although
he agrees that the level of noise could be reduced, relying on text
and WhatsApp messages could also have economic implications, he
told DW.

“The imam is not paid monthly. Where would he get the money to
be doing that? We try to practice what is possible. So the text
message or any other message is not a problem. But I don’t think it
is necessary,” Ahmed said.

Other Muslim residents who spoke to DW also rejected the
suggestion. “I don’t find anything wrong with Muslims waking up at
dawn and using the megaphone to call their people to come worship
their God, because we have Christian churches who use megaphones as
well and they also preach at dawn,” said Nora Nsiah.

Another Accra resident, Kevin Pratt, also dismissed
Frimpong-Boateng’s suggestion. “Not everyone is on social media,
and not everyone is as literate as he is. The Muslim call to prayer
is traditionally supposed to reach as far as possible,” Habiba Ali
added.

The government has signalled it ultimately intends to enforce
laws in order to quiet things down in Ghana.

The World Health Organisation has long warned of the harmful
impact exposure to environmental noise may have on public
health.

It lists cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances and
cognitive impairment among some of the short and long-term problems
people could develop.

(NAN)

In Ghana, mosques and churches are seen to be compounding the
problem of noise pollution, according to a report by Deutsche
Welle.

In the capital, Accra, authorities are seeking to deal with the
noise caused by these places of worship, mosques in particular.

Mosques are being asked to use mobile text or WhatsApp messages
to call the Muslim community to prayer.

“Why is it that time for prayer cannot be transmitted with a
text message or WhatsApp? So, the imam would send WhatsApp messages
to everybody,” said environment minister Kwabena
Frimpong-Boateng.

“I think that will help to reduce the noise. This may be
controversial, but it’s something that we can think about,” he told
DW.

The government says it is hopeful such a change could contribute
to a reduction in excessive noise.

For many Muslims living in the capital, the idea of a mobile
call to prayer is more difficult to embrace.

Fadama community mosque imam, Sheik Usan Ahmed, calls Muslims to
prayer five times at prescribed times throughout the day. Although
he agrees that the level of noise could be reduced, relying on text
and WhatsApp messages could also have economic implications, he
told DW.

“The imam is not paid monthly. Where would he get the money to
be doing that? We try to practice what is possible. So the text
message or any other message is not a problem. But I don’t think it
is necessary,” Ahmed said.

Other Muslim residents who spoke to DW also rejected the
suggestion. “I don’t find anything wrong with Muslims waking up at
dawn and using the megaphone to call their people to come worship
their God, because we have Christian churches who use megaphones as
well and they also preach at dawn,” said Nora Nsiah.

Another Accra resident, Kevin Pratt, also dismissed
Frimpong-Boateng’s suggestion. “Not everyone is on social media,
and not everyone is as literate as he is. The Muslim call to prayer
is traditionally supposed to reach as far as possible,” Habiba Ali
added.

The government has signalled it ultimately intends to enforce
laws in order to quiet things down in Ghana.

The World Health Organisation has long warned of the harmful
impact exposure to environmental noise may have on public
health.

It lists cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances and
cognitive impairment among some of the short and long-term problems
people could develop.

(NAN)