There are mixed feelings as to whether it's alright for Malaysians to publicly discuss issues linked to the practice of calling Muslims to prayer using loudspeakers.

An Islamic studies professor with Universiti Malaya feels that Malaysians are generally emotional and sensitive over certain issues, particularly religion.

Prof Mahmud Zuhdi Abd Majid of the Islamic Studies Academy said it was important to consider the original intention of making a statement on religious issues.

"(In this issue), we should consider whether or not the article was intended as an insult to Islam and Muslims," he said when asked to comment on the controversy surrounding an article in the May/June issue of the Malaysian Bar's official newsletter, Infoline.

Since last week, two police reports have been lodged over the contentious article and an apology has been demanded.

Don't politicise religion

"But discussions on issues that are considered sensitive usually tend to go off-tangent and this creates animosity and more provocative statements which worsens the situation," said Mahmud.

He stressed that religious issues should never be turned into a political agenda because that "defeats our efforts to create a peaceful multi-racial, multi-religious society in Malaysia".

He said there would be no problem if sensitive matters could be discussed intelligently, which is only possible among the top echelon of religious, political and community leaders.

"Unfortunately, those on the ground fail to grasp the context and true meaning behind an open discussion," he explained, conceding that he has not read the Infoline article because issues like this are usually politicised.

"The grassroots tend to react defensively, a sentiment which is often manipulated to suit the interests of certain quarters."

He explained that azan (the call to prayer recited five times a day) is not the issue here but rather the use of loudspeakers to air pre-recorded Quranic recitals and praises of Prophet Muhammad preceding the call to prayer.

Mahmud said that in the 1980s, the Kelantan state government, following complaints from non-Muslim citizens, had ruled that loudspeakers in mosques and suraus should only be used for the azan, especially in dense residential areas.

"In this instance, the people approached the state government after finding that the volume of the pre-recordings was too loud. The state referred to the religious department and decided against the use of loudspeakers for anything else other than the azan," he said.

He said there was no particular policy on this.

"Religious authorities are always willing to listen to grievances raised by Muslims or non-Muslims regarding religious practices.

"(However), it's advisable not to approach the surau or mosque committee as there is a possibility that they may take it wrongly or misunderstand the concerns of the complainants, particularly if they are non-Muslims."

Police reports defended

Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria agreed that loudspeakers should only be used for the azan and nothing else.

"There is no need to use loudspeakers to air the pre-recordings of the tarhim, Quranic recitals or selawat preceding the azan."

He advised those who are unhappy over the volume or any public observance of a religious practice to approach the village head, or the mosque/surau committee that falls under the purview of the village development and security committee (JKKK).

"For us, the volume during azan should be the loudest possible as it should reach every Muslim in a call to prayer," he said. However, he added, there was no policy on the use of loudspeakers by mosques or suraus.

Harussani, who sits on the Malaysian Mufti Council, said he has yet to read the Infoline article and that what he knew of the issue was entirely through news reports.

Citing the annual Thaipusam festival celebrated by Hindus at Batu Caves, he said Muslims were also disturbed by the sound of the procession passing their houses in the wee hours of the night but had never raised this as an issue.

"In fact, this (certain non-Muslim religious practices) goes against the Federal Constitution as far as the practice of Islam in the country is concerned," he said. He did not elaborate further.

Noting that any article critical of Islam would surely upset Muslims, Harussani defended the police report lodged over the Infoline issue as "not for political mileage".

"As a political party, Umno only upheld its motto to defend, protect and preserve religion, race and country by lodging the report, not to gain publicity."

He was also not in favour of open discussions over sensitive issues.

"Issues such as religion, particularly Islam, should not be debated openly because those not well-versed on religion would want to comment on it, which only makes it worse," he argued.

"If someone openly criticises Islam, Muslims will surely defend it. Therefore, it's only right for non-Muslims not to talk about Islam. Similarly, wouldn't the Hindus be upset if I openly criticise Hinduism?"

Discussions are needed

But Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president R Sivarasa believes that there must be space for public discussion on so-called sensitive issues.

"People must be allowed to talk about what disturbs them without getting emotional," he said, referring to parts of the article.

"Mutual respect is a pre-requisite for such a discourse but in the multi-racial, multi-religious society, there's bound to be some friction when talking about religious practices."

For example, he said, no one was asking Hindu temples to stop ringing bells during prayers or demanding that Muslims stop the azan.

"We should instead talk about how to practice our respective religions without interfering with another person's quiet time," he said, adding that Hindus should not get upset that this example is being cited.

"For example, some people are bothered by temple bells while others are bothered by the pre-recordings preceding the azan at five in the morning."

The point of it all, said Sivarasa, is to understand each other's religious, racial and cultural backgrounds.

"The fundamental thing is not to use oppressive laws to intimidate people into silence because this is not the way for Malaysia to grow into a genuine multi-racial society."

No compulsion in Islam

Echoing Sivarasa's call for open discourse, Sisters in Islam legal adviser Nora Murat said Muslims should take into account the feelings of others.

"We must consider how we as Muslims would react if we were the minority in a country. That is why we must be able to dialogue with non-Muslims.

"It is good to remember the ethical principles of the Quran which is to engage and accept the differences within the society leading to a peaceful co-existence."

Nora said Muslims should not turn away from talking about these issues and should refrain from using the notion of racial disunity or religious sensitivity as a shield to suppress an opportunity for greater understanding.

"Prophet Muhammad himself had great empathy towards believers of other faiths and never forced them to accept the Muslim practice," she said.

"So, how can we now force our respective practice unto others?"