Jordan Rejects Israeli Law Banning Call For Prayer

Amman, 10 Jumadil Akhir 1438/9 March 2017 (MINA) – Jordan reiterated on Wednesday evening its rejection of the Adhan ban bill, passed by the Israeli Knesset in the first reading, which bans the use of loudspeakers for the call for prayer (Adhan) in mosques within the Green Line and occupied Jerusalem, the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reported.

Jordanian Minister for Media Affairs and the government’s spokesman, Mohammad al-Momani, said in a statement issued yesterday that “the bill is discriminatory and violates Israel’s obligations under international human rights and many charters and international conventions.”

East Jerusalem falls under the provisions of international law and international humanitarian law, which state that the Jerusalem Awqaf Department is the only competent authority entitled to organize all mosques Affairs in East Jerusalem, especially the al-Aqsa Mosque and affiliated mosques, including organizing the Adhan, the statement added.

Momani pointed to a clear article in the peace treaty, between Jordan and Israel, in the second paragraph of Article IX, concerning Israel’s respect for Jordan’s existing role in overseeing Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, noting that the Israeli draft law constitutes a violation of the legal obligation under the peace treaty.(T/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)