In communication theory, ‘noise’ is defined as anything that causes disturbance to a message sent out from a messenger to a targeted listener.

I want to reflect on this rhetorical question about when the azan is no more the Muslim call to prayer, but instead may be considered ‘noise’.

Three years ago, in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, some legal-minded person conscious of such ‘noise’ made a formal complaint about the loud-speaker at a mosque being too loud.

As a consequence, the volume was adjusted by the mosque authorities, and Muslims in the neighbourhood became considerate and civic-conscious about their community.