Opinion

Amidst the congregation prayer these days, the struggle to remember Allah is suddenly broken by the Hindi film tune, ‘Iss Kaal, kaal mein hum tum kare dhamaal,’ the source?-the mobile.


Dhoom Macha De dhoom, or Iss Kaal, kaal mein hum tum kare dhamaal, or Just chill, these tunes from Hindi films are quite often played in the mosque nowadays. Yes it’s true.


In the midst of the ‘congregation prayer’ the struggle and concentration to remember Allah is suddenly broken by the Hindi film tune ‘Iss Kaal, kaal mein hum tum kare dhamaal,’ the source? A mobile handset of the individual in the mosque who failed to switch it off !


The concentration of the entire congregation is diverted and the tune becomes a major source of irritation. Many a times, the tune goes on for over a minute and is repeated for couple of times. Just after the Jamaat is over, every one is shocked and wondering whether to reprimand the culprit for the carelessness or apathy or to maintain the sanctity of the mosque and avoid any confrontation.
It is understandable that occasionally one may forget to switch off the handset. But what is not understandable is the need to have a Hindi film tune. One who prays should understand the horror of Hindi film tunes inside the mosque. Best way is to avoid having them in the first place.


This dilemma has forced many mosque managements to display at the entrance the warning to “switch off the mobile”. But unfortunately there are frequent instances when the mobile ring goes on during the prayers. At one such mosque in South Mumbai, when a man was politely asked to switch off the mobile, he rudely replied, “mind your own business”. In one of the meetings to discuss the Dawah work inside the mosque, a young assistant Imam of the mosque frequently spoke on the mobile inside the mosque setting a bad precedence for others.


There are others who do not switch off their mobiles, but put on the silent mode or vibration. These are also of great nuisance as the on-off light or vibration distracts the attention. Few even do dare to check the number in the mosque itself.


In urban areas, when one comes to the mosque for prayer, it is so difficult to concentrate. Last thing you expect is the break of the sacred peaceful ambience inside the mosque. It suggests how mechanical the entire exercise of prayers has become for few. There are quite a few who fumble in the pocket and struggle in the Namaz to switch off the ring.In many cases it’s the psychological problem of not switching off the handset even inside the mosque. People have been observed fiddling with the handset while waiting inside the mosque for the congregation prayer. Some pretend that they are expecting an urgent call.


A recent report states that many people, who use mobiles in public, are faking their conversations to make themselves seem important. According to a Rutgers University Centre for Mobile Communications Studies Report, a surprising number of people make fake phone calls on their cell phones just to invite attention towards them.


James Katz, a professor of communication at the university, says that more than a quarter of people said they had faked it. “Often it is to cover something late for work they will wander into the office pretending to be talking to an important customer,” he said.


“Even making a call you don’t need to make, just for the benefit of your immediate environment amounts to faking calls”, says sociologist Rabia Ahmed. “Using a mobile, you can send out certain signals: like either, I’m not the kind to waste time; or try to invite attention with the body language; then there’s the name dropper who’ll keep repeating the name of the person he or she is speaking to or the names of important people they are referring to,” she said.


Says collegian Mohammed Iqbal, “there was this situation when one of my friend rushes out of the mosque just after performing wudu, pretending that he has received an emergency call. Later he confesses that he wanted to impress one of his relative who was also present there,” he said.


What is the solution? Some mosque managements display instructions to deposit the handset with the attendant. Few Imams announce before every congregation prayer to switch off the handset. But still the problem remains as the late comers who rush in are the culprits many a times.


The only solution is enforcing strict “no mobile zone” inside the mosque. Everyone must switch off their handset before entering the mosque. Those who forget must be asked to pay a minimum voluntary donation towards mosque maintenance or any other voluntary act.


Mosque sanctity must not be allowed to be broken at any cost as that is the only place where one tries to completely immerse oneself in Allah’s rememberance. Otherwise, everywhere the mobile reminds us of the worldly responsibilities. Mosque is exclusive for remembering Allah and it should remain that way only.


The writer can be reached at mhl@rediffmail.com