New laws- Government control

Are you back to that highly improbable decibel number again? I thought we had settled that a long time ago. The mosque loud speakers are not 10,000 watt concert PA systems. And to measure 120 DB at the distance you are from the mosque is almost impossible even if they were.

Ok I did some research. I checked pictures of the speakers at the local mosque. According to online information, this type of outdoor reflex horn speaker (TOA ZH-series, eg ZH-5025B) is the most commonly used in Indonesia and they have a rating of approximately 120Db-125Db at a distance of 1 metre (which is the standard measurement).

The government rule is a maximum of 100Db (presumably also measured from 1m), but of course no-one dares to enforce this rule.

Anyway, back to the topic of illegal noise pollution, decibel levels decrease by approximately 6Db each time the distance is doubled. So if you live in a house 8 metres from such a speaker (eg live right next door) you will be experiencing sound at 102-107Db. If your house is 16 metres away, it would be 96-102Db. That's like standing next to a chainsaw.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies noise pollution as a major environmental threat to physical and mental health, second only to air pollution. WHO research links chronic noise (especially >65 dB) to cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and long-term heightened risk of death. Imagine what prolonged exposure to 90+Db at home every single day of your life will do to someone's health and life expectancy, especially those that are in fragile health anyway. Is this problem due to a lack of education, or people just don't care about their fellow humans?

In my case it is 75Db when standing outside on the balcony, and 60Db when inside, so more of a minor annoyance than a big problem. But I do feel sorry for those who are not able to afford to buy property 100m+ away from the mosque, and will suffer the health consequences.

According to WHO, Impairment of early childhood development and education caused by noise may have lifelong effects on academic achievement and health. Studies and statistics on children have found:
  • consistent evidence that noise exposure harms cognitive performance;
  • consistent association with impaired well-being and motivation to a slightly more limited extent;
  • moderate evidence of effects on blood pressure and catecholamine hormone secretion.
So this may also provide useful background to the low educational achievement in Indonesia compared to other countries.
 
In my case it is 75Db when standing outside on the balcony, and 60Db when inside, so more of a minor annoyance than a big problem. But I do feel sorry for those who are not able to afford to buy property 100m+ away from the mosque, and will suffer the health consequences.
This I would believe (as a matter of fact I think it's the number that I bet you were actually hearing) but seeing as how the volume doubles for every 3 db, even 75 db is no competition to the 120 db you have claimed in the past. Also the speakers are at least 3 or 4 meters up so your 102-107 db numbers would be off. We have to measure total distance not just horizontal. One thing I would like to add is the our hearing is most sensitive to hearing the vocal ranges so voices will always seem louder than they really are.
 
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Well... one day a kind old man few house next to you felt that it's almost his time to go. In his testament he wrote that he will waqf/wakaf/donate his property for religious purpose. The next day he passed away. Community then decided to renovate his house into musala/mushala/mushola.
With average purchasing power of people holding rupiah, it is repot to move to another location.
 
One thing I would like to add is the our hearing is most sensitive to hearing the vocal ranges so voices will always seem louder than they really are.

Let me make a semi scientific remark: Noise carries further at night.
That seems to be largely because of atmospheric conditions, specifically a phenomenon called temperature inversion.

While nighttime is quieter (less "noise floor" or background sound), the main scientific reason is that cool, stable air near the ground at night refracts (bends) sound waves back toward the earth, whereas warmer daytime air bends them upward.
Key Effects of Temperature Inversions on Sound:
  • Enhanced Sound Propagation: Sound waves are bent back toward the Earth instead of dissipating upward.
  • Increased Volume and Distance: Distant sounds, such as traffic, trains, or aircraft, often sound much closer, louder, and clearer, particularly in the early morning or night.
  • Long-Distance Travel: The inversion creates a "sandwich effect" or waveguide, trapping sound between the warmer air layer and the ground, allowing it to travel long distances, especially over flat terrain or water.
  • Noise Impact: These conditions can significantly increase noise pollution in residential areas near highways or airports, with, for example, ResearchGate noise enhancements of 3–5 dB often reported and up to 20 dB in extreme cases.
  • Improved Audibility: The phenomenon makes it easier to hear distant sounds, such as conversations or city noises, that are not usually audible.
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The quality of the Azan is important as well, just like the duration. A 5 minute beautifully sung version in Dubai sounds much better than the 45-60 minutes off-key and screaming here. If you don’t have that experience, you have not really ‘lived’ in an Islamic area in Indonesia or are based in a Mega Kuningan apartment on the 20th+ floor.

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The quality of the Azan is important as well, just like the duration. A 5 minute beautifully sung version in Dubai sounds much better than the 45-60 minutes off-key and screaming here.
Agreed.
The worst being when they have a 14 or 15 year old "trainy imam" on the speaker....
 

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