Noise, Noise Everywhere!
In many countries, the use of loudspeakers at religious and public venues has sparked a complex debate. While these devices play a vital role in community life, especially in calling for Azan and marking significant religious occasions, there's growing concern over their impact on noise levels and public tranquility. Exemptions allowed for religious practices have led to discussions on whether these constitute a breach of noise pollution laws, which are designed to protect the public from excessive noise. Here i highlight the issue of loudspeaker use, examining its legal, social, and health implications, and the collective efforts needed to address the challenges it poses. Representative picture Noise Pollution Laws Noise pollution laws are enacted to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive sound on human health and the environment. These laws set decibel limits for different times of the day and types of areas (e.g., residential, commercial). However, in recognizing the cultural