No loudspeakers are now heard from over 10 Mahim mosques in Mumbai for the 5 am azaan (call for prayers). For the past one month, these mosques have voluntarily stopped using loudspeakers to abide by the Supreme Court (sc) order which bans the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am.

The mohalla committee members have been instrumental in enforcing the sc directive. These members called a meeting of religious heads in April 2002 and requested them to follow the sc order. From April 13, 2002, no loudspeakers were heard early morning. A mohalla committee member Rashid Khan, says: "We have merely ensured that others are not disturbed.'