Turkish PM says Israel's anti-Adhan bill 'unacceptable'

ISTANBUL

The Israeli bill calling for a ban on the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call to prayer is "unacceptable", Turkish prime minister said Tuesday, calling the move "offensive to Islam and freedom of worship".

Speaking at an inter-parliamentary conference themed "Al-Quds and Its Current Challenges" in Istanbul, Binali Yildirim said Turkey would stand against all practices in violation of the freedoms of religion and belief.

"Checkpoints placed in and around Al-Quds restrict the freedom of Muslim and Christian communities to a great extent, preventing access to churches and mosques," Yildirim said.

"The aim is obvious; to terrorize the true owners of the region, which are ancient civilizations of Islam and Christianity, and thereby radically change the city's historical structure and texture, and to transform Al-Quds into the capital of Israel and Jews," he added.

Yildirim said Turkey "can not tolerate this policy".

Stating that people with different religions, languages and ethnic origins have lived together peacefully for thousands of years in Al-Quds, Yildirim said the city now was facing a totally different danger.

"It is not possible to talk about peace either in the Middle East, or beyond it unless this unfavorable picture changes," he said, adding "to protect Al-Quds is to protect our past and identity".

The bill applies to all religions across Israel but many fear it is aimed at mosques that broadcast the Adhan five times a day. The planned legislation specifically mentions Israelis who “suffer regularly and daily from the noise caused by the call of the muezzin from mosques”.

Palestinian leaders -- and several Muslim countries -- have criticized the proposed law as an infringement on the right to worship freely.