Quran, Islam never said loudspeakers necessary for azaan: Congress leader Ahmed Patel

New Delhi: In remarks which might create ripples within the political arena, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Tuesday opined that loudspeakers are not that necessary for blaring of azaan at mosques.

Patel said, “Today people have Azaan on their phones even have Azaan clocks; loudspeaker is not that necessary now.”

"Quran or Islam never said that azaan has to be delivered through loudspeakers. Azaan should be delivered in such a way that others do not get disturbed," Patel told reporters on his arrival at the city airport.

The senior Congress leader's comments come after leading Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam lashed out at "forced religiousness" in India after being woken up by the 'azaan' from a nearby mosque, triggering a torrent of reaction for and against.

Singer Sonu Nigam, in a series of tweets, has described as hooliganism the use of loudspeakers to broadcast sermons and calls to prayers by mosques, temples and gurudwaras.

The 43-year-old singer said he didn't believe that shrines should wake people up with the use of loudspeakers and demanded an end to "forced religiousness".