The Jummah Mosque in Goodlands, Mauritius, has been at the center of a controversy surrounding the Azaan, a call to prayer, and the construction of a minaret. The dispute began with complaints about the noise level of the Azaan, with some residents and a magistrate claiming that it exceeded permissible limits. According to a document from the Environmental Health Engineering Unit, a complaint was filed on May 20, 2026, stating that the noise level of the Azaan was 70-75 decibels, exceeding the limit of 55 dB(A) Leq.
The mosque's sound system was calibrated, and the issue seemed to be resolved temporarily. However, new complaints emerged on May 11, 2026. Salah Sound & Maintenance, the company responsible for the sound system, claims that the sound has been calibrated within permissible limits and that it is technically impossible for the sound to propagate beyond a kilometer from the mosque. The company suggests that the perceived variation in sound intensity may be due to wind direction.
The controversy took a new turn with the introduction of a minaret, which some claim is intended to accommodate additional loudspeakers. A magistrate alleged that construction work was being carried out on the minaret without the necessary permits. The District Council of Rivière-du-Rempart became involved, sending a letter to the mosque's administration on July 28, 2026, requesting documentation, including a Building and Land Use Permit.
The mosque's administration responded, stating that the work being done was renovation work on an existing minaret, without structural modifications. The mosque's president, Adil Ollee, requested a No Objection Letter for Renovation Works for Minaret, emphasizing that the work was being carried out in compliance with laws and regulations. The mosque sought to ensure that it was not breaching any laws or regulations.
The dispute has yet to be resolved, with the mosque seeking clarification on the allegations made by the District Council. In a letter dated September 16, 2026, the mosque requested full and precise particulars of the allegations, including a copy of the complaint and the specific laws or regulations that were allegedly breached.
The mosque's administration emphasized that the minaret has existed for a long time and that the current work is renovation work without structural modification. The mosque questioned whether the District Council considered the existing minaret to be illegal or if its concerns were solely related to the recent work.
The case remains ongoing, with two key issues to be resolved: the actual noise levels and the nature of the construction work. The outcome will likely have implications for the mosque and the community.
Key points
- The Jummah Mosque in Goodlands has been at the center of a controversy surrounding noise levels and unauthorized construction.
- The mosque's administration claims that the sound system has been calibrated within permissible limits and that the work on the minaret is renovation work without structural modifications.
- The dispute remains unresolved, with the mosque seeking clarification on the allegations made by the District Council.
