PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat does not think that a loudspeaker should be used when reciting the Quran in a mosque before the call to morning prayers.

Nik Abdul Aziz, who is Kelantan Menteri Besar, said that using a loudspeaker would disturb people who are sleeping or are sick, and Muslims should be sensitive and considerate.

"We (Muslims) are only allowed to raise our voice for the azan (call to prayer)," he told reporters after launching Koperasi Rakyat Kelantan Berhad in Kota Bahru today.

He agreed with the Penang Fatwa Committee which prohibits mosques from using a loudspeaker for the reciting of the Quran before the azan for morning prayers.

In his speech earlier, Nik Abdul urged women in Kelantan to sell their jewellery to invest in the newly launched cooperative.

Permodalan Kelantan Berhad, which owns the cooperative, trades in gold which now fetches a high price in the world market, he said.

Asked about the failed Koperasi Kohilal, dominated by PAS members, Nik Abdul Aziz said the situation was different then. That was in 1998, a time of financial crisis, and shares were falling.

- Bernama