Reciting Azaan through sound-amplifying devices not an integral part of Islam, not protected under Article 25 of Constitution: Allahabad HC

Allahabad High Court

Published on:

15 May 2020, 9:47 am

4 min read

The Allahabad High Court today held that Azaan (Islamic call to prayer) can be recited by a Muezzin without using any amplifying devices. The Court also held that playing Azaan through sound amplifying devices is not protected under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Azan may be an essential and integral part of Islam but recitation of Azan through loud speakers or other sound amplifying devices cannot be said to be an integral part of the religion.#COVID #Covid_19 #covid1948 #azaan pic.twitter.com/WZnNV9uUsN
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 15, 2020

Holding that recital of Azaan is an integral part of the Islamic religion, the Court directed the administration to refrain from causing any hindrance to the same under the pretext of COVID-19 guideline violations.

The order states,

"Therefore, it is held that Azan may be an essential and integral part of Islam but recitation of Azan through loud speakers or other sound amplifying devices cannot be said to be an integral part of the religion, warranting protection of the fundamental right enshrined under Article 25 of the Constitution of India, which is even otherwise subject to public order, morality or health and to other provisions of part III of the Constitution of India."

Allahabad High Court

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Allahabad High Court

Article 25

Right to Religion

Mosques

COVID-19

Azaan