Mosques are being asked to keep the volume of the call to prayer down at certain times of day. AFP
Mosques are being asked to keep the volume of the call to prayer down at certain times of day. AFP
Mosques are being asked to keep the volume of the call to prayer down at certain times of day. AFP
Mosques are being asked to keep the volume of the call to prayer down at certain times of day. AFP

Saudi Arabia's mosques asked to turn down volume on loudspeakers


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Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has issued a note restricting mosques' use of external loudspeakers during the calls to prayer.

The Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr Abullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, issued the circular on Sunday telling mosques to ensure that the volume “does not exceed one third of the full volume of loudspeakers".

The ministry has been concerned at the use of external speakers during prayers, which could affect the vulnerable, the elderly and young children in the vicinity.

It also addresses the problem of loudspeakers interfering with prayers held in nearby mosques.

"In Islam, we have to make sure we are a source of peace and comfort for all, Ms Redham, an American resident of Jeddah, told The National. "Sound is a part of it too.

"If the prayers, which can go up to 10 to 15 minutes, are loudly played on speakers, it can cause discomfort to those living next to the mosques, including Muslims and non-Muslims.”

The circular said the ruling was based on Islamic law and on the Prophet Mohammed’s saying that even while worshippers are praying, they should not harm or cause any inconvenience to each other through loud recitations during prayer.

It stressed that the imam’s voice must be heard by all inside the mosque during prayer, and that there was no need for him to be heard in neighbouring houses or outside.

“I always wondered why the speakers were so loud. It is not a competition between imams of different mosques," said Haya Idrees, a resident of Jeddah.

"Sometimes the prayer is so loud, I can hear two mosques at the same time, so there’s not only the extra noise but overlapping of prayer that is easily avoidable.

"I welcome this verdict. It is indeed very thoughtful and depicts the true teachings and values of Islam."

Saudi Arabia has more than 98,800 mosques, including the most significant mosques in Islam, the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

In 2018, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a project to renovate more than 130 historic mosques in the kingdom.

Several significant mosques are being renovated across the country, including those built by the Prophet Mohammed and by his companions.

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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THE SPECS

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre

Transmission: Seven-speed auto

Power: 165hp

Torque: 241Nm

Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000

On sale: now

Results

Stage three:

1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-43

2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s

3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s

4. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s

5. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s

6. Mikkel Bjerg (DEN) UAE-Team Emirates, at 24s

General Classification:

1. Stefan Bissegger (SUI) EF Education-EasyPost, in 9-13-02

2. Filippo Ganna (ITA) Ineos Grenadiers, at 7s

3. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin Fenix, at 12s

4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Jumbo-Visma, at 14s

5. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE-Team Emirates, at 18s

6. Joao Almeida (POR) UAE-Team Emirates, at 22s

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Biography

Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine

Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Favourite drink: Water

Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work

Favourite music: Classical music

Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate

 

 

 

 

 

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Fixtures:

Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
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Friday:
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Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
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Saturday's results

Brighton 1-1 Leicester City
Everton 1-0 Cardiff City
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
Watford 0-3 Liverpool
West Ham United 0-4 Manchester City

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

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Centre Court - 4pm (UAE)
Gael Monfils (15) v Kyle Edmund
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Court 1 - 4pm
Adam Pavlasek v Novak Djokovic (2)
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Court 2 - 2.30pm
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Tsvetana Pironkova v Caroline Wozniacki (5)

Summer special
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets