Although the Facebook post in question has been removed, it brings a longstanding problem in Malaysia back into the spotlight - the lack of noise regulations on religious bodies. While other countries have set in place and enforced rules limiting noise, Malaysia is behind in this aspect. Noise poses a serious public health threat going far beyond hearing damage (sciencedaily/releases/2013/10/131029220800.htm). The Wikipedia entry for health effects of noise includes, besides hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, stress, depression, migraines, etc. What may be perceived as beautiful sounds to one may be noise to the other. Deliberately ignoring the complaints of non-Muslims of particularly loud azan calls, or of other sounds produced by other religious ceremonies e.g. church bells, religious processions etc., and condemning these as attacks against religion is not a solution. The expletives used by the Facebook user in question, although done in bad taste and deserving of condemnation, reflect the degree of his dissatisfaction towards the matter. We Malaysians must come up with a solution amicable to all communities. Noise is not good for any one of us, and something should be done about it. If we finally stop being oversensitive by interpreting trivial matters as attacks against religion A, B or/and C, we can make Malaysia a much better place to live in.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 09:33:34 +0000
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