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Israel considers bill forcing mosques to lower volume
Published March 17, 2017
FILE -- In this Nov. 16, 2016 file photo, the minaret of a mosque is seen in Lod, a mixed Jewish Muslim and Christian city in central Israel. On wedneday, March 8, 2017, Israel's parliament passed an initial reading of a bill that would make mosques lower the volume of their call to prayer, amid protests by Arab lawmakers. Arab-Israeli politician Ahmed Tibi tore up the proposal at the Knesset podium Wednesday. The bill still needs to pass several more hurdles. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) (The Associated Press)
Israel's parliament has passed an initial reading of a bill that would make mosques lower the volume of their call to prayer, amid protests by Arab lawmakers.
Arab-Israeli politician Ahmed Tibi tore up the proposal at the Knesset podium Wednesday. The bill still needs to pass several more hurdles.
Devout Muslims pray five times a day, starting around 5 a.m. In Israel, the call to prayer is often loud enough to wake up residents in Jewish neighborhoods near Muslim communities.
Supporters of the bill say it as a matter of quality of life. But Arab citizens of Israel see it as an affront.
Arabs make up one-fifth of the population; they enjoy full rights but face discrimination in some areas. Many identify politically and culturally with Palestinians.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-considers-bill-forcing-mosques-to-lower-volume