Al-Aqsa Mosque Imam Condemns Israeli Bill Restricting Adhan

The Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, has issued a severe warning against an Israeli bill of law that aims to legalise the restriction of the Adhan. This move follows the approval of the legislative draft by an Israeli ministerial committee on Sunday (31/5/2026).

Sheikh Ekrima Sabri stated that efforts to suppress the call to prayer have entered a highly alarming phase. According to him, after various previous attempts to ban or reduce the volume of the Adhan failed, Israeli authorities are now attempting to legalise these restrictions through formal legal channels.

“The current attempt to prohibit the Adhan is taking a dangerous turn by legalising the ban through the enactment of legislation,” said Sheikh Sabri on Monday (1/6/2026).

The proposed legislation was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation after being submitted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Chairman of the National Security Committee, Zvika Fogel. This committee plays a crucial role in determining whether a bill proceeds to a preliminary reading in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.

Under the draft proposal, the regulations include physical restrictions and the threat of heavy financial sanctions. Operating loudspeakers without permission could result in a fine of 50,000 shekels (approximately IDR 220 million), while violations regarding permit conditions could incur a fine of 10,000 shekels (approximately IDR 44 million).

Despite receiving the green light from the ministerial committee, the bill must still pass a vote in the Knesset to become official law. As of the time of publication, no definitive schedule for the vote has been set.

Critics view this move as a systematic attempt to erode Islamic identity in the region and to limit religious freedom for Muslim citizens under the control of Israeli authorities.