Russian court fines Muslim cleric over early calls for prayer
Published: 24 November, 2009, 13:50
Edited: 01 December, 2009, 20:21
TAGS: Religion, Scandal, Russia, Law
A court in central Russia has fined a mosque cleric who called for prayers too early in the morning, thus disturbing children in their sleep.
The 500 rouble fine (approx $17) was imposed by a district court in the town of Orsk in Orenburg Region in the Southern Urals. The case has been forwarded to court after the cleric refused to comply with the decision of an administrative commission that had issued the same decision.
The commission found out that the cleric, who worked as an imam in the city mosque, used a loudspeaker to call for prayers every day, from 05:30 in the morning until 23:00. Local residents repeatedly complained that the calls woke up their sleeping children.
After the sentence was pronounced the imam assured everyone that from now on he will only use the loudspeakers from 07:00 in the morning, as is allowed by Russian law.
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This is a clear example of religious suppression. This act represent a crude/ crass use of the law; it will achieve not the intended aim but instead might create a tension between Muslims and none Muslims in that comment. More over, it might help those who might use religious suppression to foster extremist feelings among Russian Muslims. This is a very stupid act
religious suppression? are you mad? its common sense! No one was complaining about the call to prayer only the hours he starts calling to pray, and to be honest 0500 or 0530hrs is not socially acceptable to the community. Would be the same if it was loud music being blared out at that unearthly hour, there is no need for it at that time in the morning, where is the consideration for the other religions & children that need a good nights sleep for school the following day, is it fair they are awoken at such time? get a grip woman, religious suppression my arse, try looking towards Saudi Arabia,Pakistan,Egypt,Maldives,Somali etc etc there you will see plenty of religious suppression of all faiths EXCEPT islam.