Pakistan, July 2 -- Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has approved the preliminary reading of a bill that would restrict the broadcasting of the Muslim call to prayer through loudspeakers at mosques, according to Israeli media reports.

The proposed legislation passed its first reading by 50 votes to 36 in the 120-member parliament. If enacted, the bill would require mosques to obtain prior authorisation before installing or operating loudspeaker systems used for the call to prayer.

The bill was introduced by the Otzma Yehudit party, led by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and received support from the opposition Yisrael Beiteinu, headed by Avigdor Lieberman.

Supporters of the measure argue that it is intended to stre...