Key Points
- Six Mumbai mosques adopt the ‘Online Azan’ app to broadcast prayer calls directly to worshippers’ smartphones.
- App developed by a Tamil Nadu-based IT team; already used by 250 mosques in Tamil Nadu.
- Move follows police warnings and sound limit guidelines on loudspeaker use (55 dB day/45 dB night).
- Hundreds of worshippers registered in Mumbai within days, especially benefiting the elderly and those nearby.
- Religious leaders hail innovation as a peaceful, tech-driven solution to maintain tradition amid restrictions.
- Political reactions mixed: Congress welcomes tech adoption; BJP claims success in loudspeaker removal campaign.
Mumbai Mosques Turn to Technology: ‘Online Azan’ App Bridges Gap as Loudspeaker Use Curbed
Mumbai: In a remarkable blend of tradition and technology, six prominent mosques in Mumbai have registered on the ‘Online Azan’ mobile app, enabling worshippers to receive the call to prayer (‘Azan’) directly on their phones. This innovative move comes in response to recent restrictions and heightened sensitivities around the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes in the city.
Why the Shift? Loudspeaker Rules and Community Sensitivity
Following police visits and warnings about exceeding the sound limits set by the Mumbai High Court (55 decibels during the day, 45 at night), several mosques including the historic Mahim Juma Masjid have voluntarily suspended loudspeaker use. Instead, they are now broadcasting the Azan through the ‘Online Azan’ app, ensuring that the community can stay connected to prayer times without violating noise regulations.
“This initiative is especially for the elderly and people living near the mosque. With the app, the tradition of Azan continues even during restrictions,”
— Fahad Khalil Pathan, Mutawalli, Mahim Juma Masjid.
How the ‘Online Azan’ App Works
- Live Broadcast: The app streams the Azan live at the exact time it is given from participating mosques.
- Widespread Adoption: In just three days, over 500 worshippers around Mahim Juma Masjid alone have registered. Across Mumbai, six mosques are now on board.
- Technical Support: Developed by an IT team from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, the app is available for Android and iOS users.
- Secure Registration: Mosques must provide an application, address proof, and Aadhaar details of the person giving Azan.
Praise from the Community
Worshippers have welcomed the initiative, especially during Ramadan and times of public restrictions, as it allows them to hear the Azan from their local mosque at home. The move is seen as a positive, non-confrontational response to regulatory challenges.
“We chose innovation over confrontation. Now the community stays connected with Azan timings even when loudspeakers are off,”
— Fahad Khalil Pathan.
Growing Trend: From Mumbai to Tamil Nadu
The ‘Online Azan’ app is not just a Mumbai phenomenon over 250 mosques in Tamil Nadu have already registered, highlighting a growing trend of using technology to preserve religious practices amid changing urban norms.
Political Reactions: Support and Controversy
- Congress: Mumbai unit general secretary Asif Farooqui praised the move, stating, “Namaz is important, not loudspeakers. It’s good that mosques are adopting innovations.”
- BJP: Former MP Kirit Somaiya, who has led a campaign against unauthorized mosque loudspeakers, claimed his efforts resulted in the removal of 1,500 such devices in Mumbai.
Looking Ahead: Tradition Meets Technology
As Mumbai’s mosques adapt to new realities, the ‘Online Azan’ app stands as a testament to the power of innovation in preserving faith and community connection. With hundreds already registered and more mosques expected to join, this digital solution offers a peaceful path forward amid ongoing debates over public sound and religious expression.
