Roshan Khan, resident of Atlantic Gardens, owner of RK Security and leader of the largely irrelevant Electric Mosque (do not be fooled, it is merely a television show which no one watches) has launched a legal campaign against the owner(s) of Starlight Drive In Cinema (which is no longer a cinema but a venue for various shows [mostly chutney]). He, understandably, claims that the excessive noise causes great discomfort for residents who live in close and medium proximity to Starlight. He also claims that the shows promote vulgarity and indecency of the highest order.
I empathise with RK, as he is known, and I hope that there is a fair resolution to this issue which allows residents to live in peace as is constitutionally guaranteed.
However I expect that RK will be equally vocal in condemning the worse discomfort being suffered by citizens all across Guyana who live in close proximity to masjids which have amplified calls to prayers. Five times per day, starting from before 5am when most folks are still asleep and until after 7pm, these masjids torture the lives of thousands with their horrendous shouting across the landscape.
Roshan Khan has been silent on this matter. As a prominent Muslim he should take a stand lest he be accused of being a hypocrite of the highest order. The chutney shows which cause him, his family and his neighbours discomfort are infrequent, perhaps totaling six for the entire year.
There are one thousand eight hundred and twenty five calls to prayers at almost every masjid in Guyana each year (add another five on leap years), many of which have them amplified to deafening levels.
What is absurd about these amplified calls to prayers is that the persons they are purporting to call to prayer are almost always already congregated in the masjid and therefore they achieve nothing more than shouting at themselves and causing mass discomfort to residents nearby.
It is an injustice being blatantly perpetrated upon thousands and thousands of Guyanese on a daily basis and one against which many feel helpless.
Babies, children, the elderly and adults are jolted from sleep and rest, are disturbed from enjoying whatever recreation within their homes. Persons cannot watch television or listen to the radio or read or simply relax in peace. Students are affected when attempting to do their homework and otherwise study. Persons are living in a virtual hell in the presence of these Muslim bullies who, expressly, do not care about the welfare and wellbeing of their neighbours. They do as they please and others are held hostage by their actions. The authorities who must pander to the Muslims for votes (it is widely thought that the Muslim vote is the balance of power for the PPP) do nothing to protect the wider citizenry.
This noise pollution and resultant torture must cease.
implying that one minute of a call to prayer five time a day certainly doesnt equate to hosting an event where loud music is played for hours…
in T&T most masjids are in predominantly muslim neighbourhoods…i do not know if it is the same on your end…
when there is worship in the hindu temple and there is the singing of any bhajans and the ritualistic gonging or any other religious group decides to sing praises for an hour every Saturday and Sunday it certainly can be lumped into one basket of noise…
Oh, please Imran! You being ridiculous now
Neil, as an alternative, I think he’s sending a message to RK to shut up.
I attended a ‘wake’ in New York by a Hindu family where they had a drum that they would beat for a few seconds every few hours. Within minutes the police were in the yard as the neighbours reported the matter as a noise nuisance.
We don’t want to get this bad – so lets find a way of living in harmony with each other.
@Neil. Clearly you do not live in close proximity to a masjid. I can organize for you to spend a few days living close to one and then we’ll see how ridiculous it really is.
@Paul. I think everyone should shut up, RK, the Muslims, Starlight, the churches, the temples and whoever else. We all have to learn to OBEY THE LAW. What they are doing is illegal, it is not only a noise nuisance, it is noise pollution.
I cannot expect any better comment from Neil. He exists in this lawless country, it is what he knows and how he has been cultured. He does not know that in civil jurisdictions one has to not only apply for and receive a permit for noisy events but also send letters to all persons living in the surrounding areas who are likely to be affected. They must be informed, BY LAW, of the date and time of the event and how they are likely to be affected. Further they are usually informed to secure their pets and other animals (which are likely to run off to escape the noise). Neil is accustomed to the lawlessness in Guyana, he does not know better, he cannot be expected to think better or say better.
If this situation is SO RIDICULOUS how come the Muslims cannot call their azhans in the US, Canada, UK etc using amplified technology? And further why do they know that even in calling the azhan by natural voice they cannot shout for fear of the police appearing as explained by Paul in the NY situation.
In Guyana we have no regard to people’s constitutional right to live in peace and people like Neil who know no better condone the nonsense.
all i can say is that at least they are screaming out “bismillah ir rahman ir rahim alhamdulillahi rabbil al ameen” other than ” come whine yuh battie pon meeeeee….back up dah big truck pon meeee”….you know? and i’m not even a Muslim….so please.
come on ppl…Mr. Khan only wants peace and quiet for his neighbors…maybe the concerts can be held else where other than in a residential neighbourhood….
you must really not like him…
ppl are ranting of RK’s request but when he is being charitable and giving to the country of guyana….
All I can say is that I’m thankful to live next to a Masjid that doesn’t use amplified technology (I sleep thru peacefully).
hear hear to this :
“I think everyone should shut up, RK, the Muslims, Starlight, the churches, the temples and whoever else.”
It bothers me that most churches these days are equipped with huge speakers. A few hours a day couple times a week of singing, clapping and bad playing of instruments was painful. I used to pray that the singing and praying would be over soon.
I think I prefer the 5 times call to prayer, it may shock me a bit at first but at least I know it is a short torture.
I agree, Imran, bulldoze their homes and drive them into the sea.
comparing chutney shows with the azaan is pure idiocy…..this post could have been 10 pages long, and still bereft of logic….find something else to write about
thank you catz!
I agree with Malaika 100%. I think that praising the lord in whatever shape or form should be done quietly. No need for the god -damn shouting in a weepy voice.
@Raptus: Thou shall not call the Lord’s name in vain sister. Repent!
lol…dude i dont know how to repent.
I have to say being christian and one that worships in a church with speakers I am cognizant of how our worship can and actually does affect some ppl. I must say that I agree with Imran. The point is don’t aim for someone else’s pebble and ignore ur plank. I think its time we all stop the only in gt declarations and actually start respecting that which can only make us better
Wow ‘M’ well said.
the biggest problem with this scenario is that the Muslims ain’t care what you all think or say about their noisy habits or anything else they do. They doing as they like and there ain’t nuffin you can do about it!
i really don’t understand why it is that most of you are all bent out of shape in reference to RK’s request. atlantic gardens is a residential neighborhood. i don’t believe there is any ignorance in having peace. how can ppl compare religion to vulgarity? really.
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