GAZA, (PIC)
The Hamas Movement has warned of far-right Israeli security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s decision to confiscate loudspeakers of mosques in 1948 occupied Palestine (Israel), saying the measure portends an “escalation of the Israeli religious war.”
In a statement on Sunday, Hamas said that Ben Gvir’s description of the Islamic call to prayer (Adhan) as “noise” and his decision to suppress it was a “serious crime” and an act of aggression against the Palestinian people, their mosques and freedom of religion.
Hamas called on the Muslim worshipers in 1948 occupied Palestine to reject Ben Gvir’s “criminal” measure and take action to prevent the Israeli authorities from tampering with their holy sites and religious rituals.
Hamas also appealed to the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international organizations to condemn Ben Gvir’s anti-call to prayer measure and take steps to stop such Israeli violations against the Islamic religious practices in Palestine.
On Saturday, Ben Gvir announced he banned the call to prayer, claiming the sound from mosques would “disturb” Israelis.
In a post on his X page, Ben Gvir labeled the call to prayer by mosques as an “unreasonable noise” and a sign of “lawlessness.”
Ben Gvir said he was “proud” to introduce this policy to ban the Islamic call to prayer, which typically lasts around two minutes, claiming it was a “hazard” for Israelis who live near mosques.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the right-wing minister ordered the police to enforce his directive by storming mosque compounds, confiscating loudspeakers and issuing fines if they are used.
