ISLAMABAD: About 23 cases were registered against Khateebs of different worship places for violating ban on the use of loudspeakers while delivering speeches during Friday prayers.

A senior police officer said cases were registered against those who delivered sermons before the Friday prayers.

In view of the prevailing situation, vigilance was mounted around all worship places in the capital in connection with security measures for Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

During vigilance, the police noted hate sermons delivered in the 23 worship places which led to the registration of cases against the Khateebs.

There are over 614 worship places in the city and majority of them did not violate the ban, the police officer said.

Use of loudspeakers has been banned on the direction of the district magistrate. He said during Muharram, 150 Khateebs of different worship places were booked for violating the ban and delivering hatred sermons.

Before the start of Muharram, the police had taken undertakings from all Khateebs that they would not violate the ban, the officer said.

However, no arrest was made in connection with the cases registered against the Khateebs, the police officer said.

The police said five cases were registered with Shahzad Town police, four each with Sabzi Mandi and Loi Bher police, two each with Shalimar, Tarnol, Kural and Sihala police and one each with the Industrial Area and Bani Gala police.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2014