A Sleepless Night in Addis Ababa: The Hidden Toll of Religious Noise Pollution Aster, a resident of central Addis Ababa, had barely slept the night before. The booming sermons, loud chants, and amplified music from the nearby Orthodox church had kept her awake until dawn. Nights like these had become all too common. For Aster and many others, noise from religious institutions isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a growing public health concern. Addis Ababa is a city rich in religious diversity, where Orthodox churches, mosques, and Protestant congregations form the spiritual backbone of communities. While religious practices are essential to cultural and spiritual life, the extensive use of loudspeakers and amplified sound during ceremonies has created a new urban challenge. Orthodox churches and mosques often broadcast prayers, sermons, and chants at high volumes, while some Protestant churches renting spaces in residential neighborhoods rely on large speakers to attract congregants. Th...