Ban on Muslim call of prayer causes anger Jaffa – Hassan Mousa The proposal of Knesset Member Anastassia Michaeli, from Yisrael Beitenu Party led by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to ban the use of speakers for Adhan (call for Muslim prayer ), has greatly angered Palestinians, whether Muslims or Christians, who considered such these moves as motivated by Israeli extremists to undermine the Arab population to live freely on its own land.
Since the return of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leader of the "Likud" to power in 2009, the government coalitions in Israel has been rushing to introduce racist laws aimed at the country’s Arab population.
‘Who doesn’t like the sound of Adhan can leave’
Father Constantine Nassar – Patron of the Orthodox Church in Jaffa, told ‘Arabstoday’ that he rejects the draft law against raising the Adhan in speakers of mosques, with the excuse that it bothers Jewish residents and affecting the quality of their lives, adding ‘The Adhan is not just a religious obligation, but it is a part of the history and civilization of this country… it carries the words of God, which are more important than the cars’ traffic noise and the music coming out of those cars.”
He hoped that the decision makers in the government concerning this issue would be reasonable, saying “We fully support our Muslim brothers in this issue… and we will extend a helping hand wherever needed”, adding “We know that in the time being there are not draft laws concerning church bells, but passing a law against Adhans forms a future threat against church bells.”
Nassar said “We are against the issuance of such law and we hope Knesset members would wake up… meanwhile they claim that they want to discuss democracy, while what goes on is dictatorship, and I say to those who do not like the sound of Adhan and considers it a noise, they can leave. Let them find another place. Mosques and churches will remain, and we will not allow anyone to prevent us from carrying out our customs and traditions.”
Increase in Laws against Palestinians of 1948
In 2010, the Commission against Racism in Israel published an extensive report titled “Racism 2010”, stating that Knesset 18 (the current Knesset) is the most racist in the history of Knesset and the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, where the ruling right-wing parties proposes draft laws which deepen the gap between Arab citizens and Jews and re-enforcing racist proposals that discriminate against Arab citizens. The report observed a 75% increase in the submission of proposals that aim to marginalize 48 Palestinians and reduce their access to their legitimate rights.
What currently goes on inside the Knesset and the politics exercised by the Israeli government is a serious threat to the future of the 48 Palestinians and their existence, where some members are demanding the expulsion of Arab citizens from Israel, attacking their citizenship rights, and establishing a separation between them and the Jews.
Swaid: All of Israel’s Strength won’t be able to bring down the Adhan
MK Hanna Swaid, head of Hadash Bloc, stressed that the Adhan has been raised in this country and on this land for more than 1400 years, and that all of Israel’s strength will not be able to bring it down, warning against getting in the way of religious freedom and dragging the region into a religious war.
Swaid said that the proposal to ban the Adhan is a serious step down the slope of racism and targeting basic rights, as it aims to affect the freedom of belief, and does not respect the holiness of religion, criticizing PM Benjamin Netanyahu who said “Are we more liberal than Europe?” Thus, implying that they have to learn from what happened in Europe, concerning violations of minorities’ rights and targeting them, resulting in serious damage.
Swaid noted that the Adhan has never been raised in Geneva, and is now banned there, but that it has always been raised on this land for more than 1400 years, and no law can stop it. He added that such action issue cannot be taken lightly or undermined by arrogant rightist voices. Swaid warned against pursuing such proposal or any other laws that affect freedom of religion, as standing in the way of any religion is a declaration of religious war in the region.
Ghanayem: A poor proposal stemming from hatred and malice towards all things Arab and Islamic
MK Masoud Ghanem (United Arab List) said “The Adhan existed in this country before the one who proposed the draft law, and it will remain in this country until the day of Judgement, and nobody will prevent us from practicing our religion,” describing the law as a “poor proposal stemming from hatred and malice towards all things Arabic and Islamic in this country.”
He added “We know that as Arabs in this country are classified as a security threat by the state of Israel, and that we are being prosecuted by Israeli police, but today we also realize that we are classified as an ‘environmental threat’, and that we will also be prosecuted by the ‘green Israeli police’, which makes an environmental threat out of a religious right like the Adhan.”