MOSQUES (Fixing of sound attenuators to amplifiers)

Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin asked the Minister for Social Affairs to explain the recent action taken by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura in fixing sound attenuators to amplifiers used in mosques.

The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the fixing of sound attenuators to reduce the loudness of amplification of the call to prayers or Azan from mosques is part of Government's Community Noise Abatement programme aimed at controlling community noise.

Sound levels in modern living - from a large variety of sources - are increasing. In combination or individually loud sounds are disturbing and even harmful. Researches have shown that there is a direct relationship between growing tension and noise levels of urban living. It is, therefore, necessary for the Government to control the volume of sound amplification systems in public places. Government's policy on sound amplification affects not only mosques, but also Chinese wayangs, Chinese temples, Hindu temples, churches and all public gatherings where sound amplification systems are used. Amplifiers used at such places or on such occasions are to be fitted with sound attenuators by SISIR.

Officials from the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) and my Ministry have been testing different levels of sound amplification for the Azan and decided that an acceptable sound level for the broadcasting of the Azan from mosque external loudspeakers is 60 dB measured from a distance of 10 metres from the sound sources. This sound level is neither too soft nor too loud. Tests of this sound level confirmed that the Azan can be heard clearly from a distance of 100 metres (or approximately 110 yards) from the mosque.

MUIS officials are visiting mosques to explain to Mosque Management Committees the reasons for fixing sound attenuators to control the decibel levels of external loudspeakers of mosques. Almost all mosques have accepted the reasons and have been cooperative. To-date, 61 sound attenuators have been fixed. Sound attenuators are not required for 21 mosques which do not have loudspeakers mounted externally. The exercise has been completed.

I wish to reiterate that the fixing of sound attenuators is merely to fix the volume of sound amplification of external loudspeakers of mosques to 60 dB measured from a distance of 10 metres. Since 15th August 1977, my Ministry has arranged for the Azan to be broadcast by Radio Singapore five times a day. This has meant re-starting up the station about an hour earlier than its normal broadcasting time in order, to be on the air before the first Azan.