In response to growing restrictions on loudspeakers, a number of mosques across Mumbai have adopted a tech-savvy alternative to deliver the traditional call to prayer. The ‘Online Azan’ app, developed by a Tamil Nadu-based tech firm, now allows mosques to broadcast the azan directly to worshippers’ smartphones in real-time.
Fahad Khalil Pathan, Managing Trustee of Mahim Juma Masjid, revealed that the shift to the mobile-based platform came after local authorities warned against loudspeaker usage that exceeded sound limits. “Following visits from the police, we decided to voluntarily disable our traditional loudspeakers and opted for an innovative digital solution,” he explained.
A New Way to Stay Spiritually Connected
The Online Azan app functions by streaming live audio of the azan from registered mosques. It ensures worshippers, especially the elderly and those living nearby, remain spiritually connected even in the absence of audible loudspeaker announcements. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and works by sending real-time notifications and audio alerts at the exact moment the azan is recited at the mosque.
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“This innovation ensures that prayers remain uninterrupted, particularly during Ramzan and other significant Islamic occasions,” said Pathan. “In just a few days, over 500 worshippers in our locality have already registered on the app.”
Behind the Tech
The app was engineered with support from an IT team in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Once installed, users can select their preferred mosque and receive the azan as it is delivered live. The app also serves as a digital muezzin, notifying users of prayer times similar to smartwatch alerts.
For mosques to join the network, developers require a simple application form, the mosque’s address proof, and Aadhaar identification of the designated muezzin.
Mohammed Ali, co-founder of Online Azan, shared that the initiative already connects over 250 mosques across Tamil Nadu and is rapidly gaining traction in Mumbai, where six mosques are currently onboard.
Navigating Legal and Social Concerns
The Bombay High Court has not outlawed loudspeakers but has imposed sound level restrictions: 55 decibels during the day and 45 at night. In an effort to comply, many mosques, including Mahim Juma Masjid, have voluntarily ceased using traditional loudspeakers and transitioned to smaller box speakers that are less disruptive.
“These smaller speakers don’t project the azan over long distances,” Pathan noted, “which is why many residents have struggled to hear it. The app bridges that gap.”
Community Reactions and Political Voices
The response from the Muslim community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many see the app as a peaceful and effective alternative that honors tradition while respecting civic rules.
Mumbai Congress General Secretary Asif Farooqui praised the move: “Prayer is sacred, not the medium. Loudspeakers were a tool—this app is a smarter one. The transition reflects our community’s ability to adapt while maintaining faith.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, known for campaigning against unauthorized loudspeaker use in religious places, claimed over 1,500 loudspeakers have been removed across Mumbai due to civic action and community cooperation.
Innovation Over Confrontation
“We chose progress over conflict,” Pathan emphasized. “This solution allows the faithful to stay connected without disturbing others. It’s a win-win for all.”
The Online Azan app is now being seen as a model for how religious institutions can use technology to harmonize tradition with modern legal norms—a thoughtful step toward peaceful coexistence in a diverse and evolving urban landscape.
