The claim of BSL obstructed Azan at DU S.M. Hall is not true

After 20 long years, Azan( Call to Prayer) was called out on the microphone at Dhaka University's Salimullah Muslim (SM) Hall on Wednesday (11 September). 

After uploading a video of the Azan being called out on the microphone on social media, one person wrote in the caption that 20 years ago, Chhatra League leaders stopped the Azan from being called out on the microphone because it was causing sleep problems.

In this regard, This claim spread widely on social media.However, the authorities concerned of SM Hall have stated that this claim is not true.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Naeem, the senior Imam and Khatib of the Hall Mosque has stated that, the claim of Azan being stopped due to obstruction by Chhatra League is not true.

Abul Kalam Azad Naeem further said, "I have been serving as the Imam of the SM Hall Mosque for over 25 years. In 2002, a House Tutor at the time took the initiative to install a microphone. Although it continued for some time, as there was no Muazzin, it became difficult for me alone to manage everything. That's why students used to give the Azan most of the time."

He adds, "After some time, when the microphone got damaged, no initiative was taken to repair it. Since then, Azan has been given using a small sound box for all these years. A few days ago, at the request of the students, the Hall administration arranged for the microphone along with other tasks."

Regarding the claim that Chhatra League obstructed the Azan on the microphone, Abul Kalam Azad Naeem said, "No, this is not true. Chhatra League leaders have never interfered with us regarding giving the Azan. People are spreading confusion without knowing the facts."

Regarding this matter, the Provost of Salimullah Muslim Hall, Associate Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, told Messenger, "After my joining a few students came to me and said that due to the structure of S.M. Hall, when the call to prayer (azan) is made at one end, students at the other end have difficulty hearing it.

Moreover, they added that azan was not broadcasted using microphone for many years. Afterwards, I instructed a survey to find out which halls at Dhaka University have the azan broadcasted over the microphone, based on students' requests. We found that several halls at Dhaka University do have the azan over the microphone. Following that, I arranged for the installation of a microphone in the hall.

However, when asked whether the Chhatra League had obstructed the azan, he said, "I joined as hall provost, a few days ago. I am not aware if the Chhatra League obstructed the azan previously or if it was stopped. Students are the right people to answer this. However, students told me that previously they requested the hall authority but their request was not heard.”