Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam raised eyebrows this morning with a series of controversial tweets slamming azaan or the call to prayer by mosques. He said his home is near a mosque and termed it forced religiousness.
“God bless everyone. I’m not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the Azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India.
“And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison?
“I don’t believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don’t follow the religion . Why then..? Honest? True?
“Gundagardi hai bus…”
Azaan is given five times a day by the muezzin of a mosque via loudspeakers. The first call is given early in the morning.
Reactions poured forth on Twitter, some in support of the singer, some not.
Madhur Chandna @macchandna Replying to @sonunigam
I am a fan of urs but this was definitely a bullshit statement. U gotta respect other religions beliefs. It’s a democratic country.
Tiruvalluvar @intellisurfer when did blaring sound become part of religious beliefs?
Insiyah Abidi @In5iyahA Replying to @sonunigam Morning sir, this is a very interesting question raised by you, but Azan is a call towards prayers, it’s a call of God for all.
Insiyah Abidi @In5iyahA I completely understand, what you are trying to say, because I have never heard the Azan in London, but again, this is the beauty of India.
rajendra raghavendra @rajendraraghave It is.I don’t trouble my neighbours with my prayers. Why should I get troubled 5 times a day everyday. All shld protest on using speakers.
