Mohamed al-Suhaimi, a journalist for the Saudi newspaper al-Watan, said in an interview with MBC that the adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, disturbed worshippers and children. “The sound disturbs worshippers, disturbs children. There is an adhan from this side, and from that side; it’s scary, and spreads panic in the country,” he added.
Criticizing the adhan traditionally broadcasted from mosque loudspeakers throughout Muslim countries by calling it disturbing and annoying, Suhaimi also suggested that Saudi Arabia reduce the large number of mosques in the country as he argued that a reduction would result in a greater number of worshippers in each mosque.
Sparking outrage after his outrageous claims saying that mosque loudspeakers should be silenced and mosques be closed down, the Saudi journalist was taken in for questioning by the ministry of culture, according to reports.
