Erdogan ‘won’t allow’ Israel’s ‘Muezzin Bill’ to silence Jerusalem prayers

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he would not allow the Muslim call to prayer to be silenced.

“The fact that such an issue is even coming to the agenda is shameful,” he says at the opening ceremony of the International Forum on al-Quds Waqf in Istanbul.

“The fact that those who talk about freedom of thought and faith at every opportunity actually approve this step by remaining silent is noteworthy. Inshallah, we will not allow the silencing of prayers from the heavens of Jerusalem,” Erdogan says.

“Why are you afraid of the freedom of faith if you believe in your faith? I am now reminding Israeli administrators: If you believe in your faith, then why are you afraid of the sound of our prayers?” he adds.

Israel’s proposed “Muezzin Bill,” that would limit use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, has drawn widespread opposition from across the Muslim world.