AS the rightist fraternity has made a shout-out at non-Muslims to respect the sounding of azan (call for prayers) given the position of Islam as Malaysia’s official religion in the wake of the Taman Seraya surau incident in Ampang, a somehow liberal-minded Muslim woman has a valuable lesson to share with potential property buyers.
“If you want to buy a house, make sure it’s not too close to a surau or mosque,” cautioned Makcik Gambir in a Facebook post in light of the arrest of a 46-year-old man by the police on Sunday (April 26) following some 10 police reports of him ‘fussing’ over the azan and Friday prayers (traffic woes) by the surau committee members/fellow residents.
“Although having the surau is close proximity to one’s house means the convenience of easy access to worship, you’ve to think carefully,” reminded the marketing manager who lives in Rawang, Selangor.
If the surau committee doesn’t think of the community, they will install speakers that will scream so loud that you feel your heart is dropping out.
That’s not to mention that, they’ll play a cassette reciting the Quran for half an hour prior to the azan.
Additionally, there’ll be a ‘tazkirah’ or a ‘ceramah’ where they will blast the speakers as hard as they can facing your house. The speaker can scream like a madman.
Moreover, Makcik Gambir urged house owners to be prepared “to work part-time” to monitor traffic outside their houses every time there is a surau/mosque event.
“You can imagine if it’s Friday prayer. Our people don’t have the discipline and consideration. They just block the entrance to other people’s houses. They feel entitled because they think that God is the most righteous.”
Don’t take for granted
And if the housing estate is new without a ready-built surau, don’t take for granted that one’s privacy is guaranteed.
“As if it’s not enough to have a mosque already in close proximity, a surau can soon be erected if the majority of residents deem fit to have one next to your house. Bye-bye to that quiet and private life,” penned Makcik Gambir.
This is when the poster who is seemingly narrating from experience claimed that “those who have never been in another person’s shoes wouldn’t be aware” of such hardship.
It’s easy to talk. You have to be tolerant, you have to understand that this is a Muslim country, you need to find a surau committee member if you’re to die tomorrow, blah blah blah….
If a Muslim complains, they will call him/her a liberal; if this comes from a non-Muslim, this will turn into a racist issue.
That’s why one has to consider all these when buying a house. This post is not about race and religion. This is about a quiet and peaceful life. Whoever raises 3Rs sentiment in their comments, ‘makcik’ will block on the spot.
Interestingly, Makcik Gambir’s post elicited affirmative comments from her brethren which only go to show respect is indeed more than a two-way traffic between Muslims and non-Muslims: – April 28, 2026
