PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji has issued a public notice banning the use of loudspeakers for prayers at Muslim burial grounds (kabrastan) in the city. CCP Commissioner Ajit Roy said the decision was taken after complaints received from locals. “We have consulted and had a meeting with the leader of religious institutes and only after that the notice was issued,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the Muslim leaders have agreed to this and said that prayers at the burial ground are not something religious.
The Commissioner said it had been brought to CCP’s notice that the prayers at the burial ground were carried out through loudspeakers, public address systems with very high decibels.
“The community should ensure that no prayers are held on Muslim burial ground/kabrastan by loud speakers/public address systems so as to avoid disturbing the public peace and tranquillity in the surrounding area,” the notice reads.
Objecting to the circular, Shaikh Babusahab, Chairman of Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen Gousia Sunni Trust, the custodian of the mosque adjacent to the burial ground said, “The circular is has been issued to harass the community. There are no prayers conducted in the kabrastan. Azan is called out only from the Masjid.”
He said CCP should have discussed the matter with them. “CCP did not even bother to inform us if there was any complaint and has served a circular, which is incorrect. The process should have been followed and we should have been taken into confidence before serving the circular,” he added.
Babusahab said, “We will meet the Commissioner and the Chief Minister and seek the withdrawal of this circular. If our demands are not met then we will take legal action.”
