The sounds of the Muslim call to prayer, the “athan”, reverberated around the Israeli Knesset last night, during the discussion of the government’s plan to ban its broadcast over loudspeakers. An Arab member of the Knesset (MK), Taleb Abu Arrar, launched into the words of the “athan” on Monday night when standing on the podium of the chamber, while other MKs shouted and jeered at him.
Another MK, Ahmed al-Tibi shouted “Allahu Akbar” meaning “God is the greatest”, which is the key component of the call to prayer, as returned to his seat from speaking.
The actions received support from Palestinians and their allies on Facebook, with #TheCallToPrayerWillNotBeSilenced trending throughout the day on Monday:
#عاجل النائب العربي أحمد الطيبي يرفع أذان المغرب في الكنيست قبل قليل، ردًا على قرار منع الأذان في القدس
— Nayef-saif (@naifsif2) November 14, 2016
أسد يا احمد الطيبي#لن_تسكت_المآذن pic.twitter.com/yVwC5GjxDL
The Arab MK Ahmed al-Tibi plays the “Maghreb athan” in the Knesset a little while ago, in response to the decision to ban the call to prayer in Jerusalem. You lion, Ahmed al-Tibi #TheCallToPrayerWillNotBeSilenced.
Any attempt by the Knesset to silence the Call to Prayer will and should be met with absolute insurrection.
— Stanley Cohen (@StanleyCohenLaw) November 14, 2016
The bill, which was proposed by Moti Yogev, a member of the Knesset for the Jewish Home party, gained the support on Sunday of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was justified by its supporters on the basis that Israelis are caused much annoyance and inconvenience by the call to prayer, which takes place five times a day, including at dawn.
However, its critics have suggested it is a discriminatory act against Israel’s Muslim citizens.
The video of the incident can be see here
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