List of countries restricting public Islamic prayer

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Created by 2001:67C:2628:647:38:1300:0:13C
Last edited May 20, 2026

This is a list of countries and jurisdictions that have imposed restrictions, regulations, or bans on public Islamic prayers (salat or namaz) conducted on roads, streets, sidewalks, parks, or other public spaces.

Main article: Restrictions on Islamic prayer in public spaces

Asia[edit | edit source]

Country Restriction Basis Notes Ref
 Saudi Arabia Restrictions on roadside Islamic prayers Public-order regulations Muslim congregational prayers are generally expected to occur in mosques [1]
 United Arab Emirates Public Muslim prayers outside designated areas regulated Public safety and urban management Unauthorized public Islamic gatherings may be penalized [2]
 Egypt Restrictions on unofficial congregational Islamic prayers Religious administration Friday prayers required in licensed mosques [3]
 India Restrictions on roadside namaz in several states Traffic control and public order Restrictions vary by state and locality [4]
 China Restrictions on public Muslim prayers State security and religious regulation Particularly enforced in Xinjiang [5]

Europe[edit | edit source]

Country Restriction Basis Notes Ref
 France Muslim street prayers banned in parts of Paris Traffic management and secularism Alternative indoor prayer spaces were later provided [6]
 Italy Restrictions on Muslim prayers in some Islamic centres Zoning and safety regulations Monfalcone restrictions generated political controversy [7]

North America[edit | edit source]

Country Restriction Basis Notes Ref
 Canada Public Islamic prayer restrictions debated in Quebec Secularism policies Discussions included prayer rooms in educational institutions [8]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Saudi Arabia defends limits on mosque loudspeaker volume". Reuters. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "In pictures: List of Middle East countries halted prayers in mosques". Arabian Business. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Egypt bans Friday prayers in small mosques and zawiyas". Ahram Online. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Even Muslim-majority countries don't allow namaz on roads, says Sunil Ambekar of RSS". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "World Report 2024: China". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Paris ban on Muslim street prayers". BBC News. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "Italian town sparks row with ban on Muslim prayers". The Guardian. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Quebec to ban prayer rooms in public schools". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
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