Azaan was given on loudspeakers for the first time in Germany's Central Mosque, but in limited voices.

Muezzin Mustafa Qader delivers the adhan for prayer at the Cologne Central Mosque on Friday, October 14, 2022 in Cologne, Germany. It is part of a project agreed with city officials. (AP Photo/Martin Meisner)

The Associated Press

Cologne, Germany - Authorities last year cleared the way for muezzins to give azan in mosques for a maximum of five minutes between noon and 3 p.m. From Friday, the noise limit for each mosque has been set according to its location.

Till now the sound of azaan was heard only inside the mosque. From friday, It was started through loudspeakers, although officials have clarified that it should be limited to 60 decibels for nearby residents.

The Central Mosque, a today's modern building with two tall minarets, is placed on a hectic avenue in the west of the city of Cologne. It was inaugurated in 2018 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, run by the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs or DITIB.

Geir Moulson reported from Berlin.