(Ilana Messika/TPS) President Reuven Rivlin hosted on Tuesday a group of Jewish and Muslim leaders for discussions about the so-called “muezzin bill,” scheduled for a preliminary vote in the Knesset plenum today (Wednesday).

The bill, tabled by MK Moti Yogev (Jewish Home), proposes to ban loudspeakers for early-morning calls to prayer. It was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation last Monday but has been met with severe criticism from Arab MKs, Palestinians and human-rights organizations who say the bill is “racist.” Ultra-Orthodox politicians also opposed the bill because they were afraid it could be applied to sirens announcing the Sabbath, but they have since rescinded their opposition.