3 chapters across the catalog
New York City Mosque Call to Prayer Amplification
New York City has removed permit requirements for mosques to amplify the Friday call to prayer. This policy change mirrors similar developments in the Netherlands, where residents have expressed annoyance over the increased volume. The hosts discuss the cultural impact of these sounds compared to traditional church bells.
Mosque Speakers, Noise Disputes in Amsterdam Neighborhoods
The discussion shifts to the increasing presence of mosque speakers in Amsterdam and the resulting neighborhood disputes over decibel levels and frequency of prayer calls. Curry notes that some fundamentalist Muslim communities actually oppose the use of speakers, arguing they were not used during the era of Muhammad. The hosts compare the auditory environment of the Netherlands to that of Israel regarding religious broadcasts.
Islamic Call to Prayer and High-Wattage Amplification
The traditional Islamic call to prayer has evolved to use massive 10,000-watt amplification systems, leading to a cacophony of distorted sound in cities with numerous mosques. An anecdote describes a plastic "mosque" alarm clock purchased in Iraq that plays the call to prayer, highlighting the intersection of ancient tradition and modern Chinese manufacturing.
