SHOPS IN SAUDI ARABIA CAN STAY OPEN DURING PRAYER TIMES: SAUDI CHAMBERS

Sat 17 July 2021:

Shops in Saudi Arabia may now stay open during prayer times, a leading government-linked newspaper said on Friday, relaxing the kingdom’s strict rules on closing shops and businesses for prayer five times a day.

It is the latest in a series of social and economic reforms intended to modernise the kingdom and boost the private sector’s contribution to its oil-dependent economy.

The decision, taken by the Council of Saudi Chambers, will end decades where all shops had to shut for at least half an hour during five daily prayers.

“To prevent crowding, gatherings, long waiting under preventive measures to fight coronavirus and to maintain the health of shoppers, we urge shop owners and businesses to remain open through all working hours, including prayer times,” Okaz cited a circular by the official business federation.

The federation said that the decision was taken after having made the necessary coordination with the relevant authorities.

“We hope you will continue to keep shops open and pursue commercial and economic activities throughout working hours, receiving shoppers and customers,” the federation said in the circular to shops and commercial establishments.

The shops and commercial establishments have been instructed to make the necessary arrangements and take appropriate actions to organize the work and provide services on a rotation basis among workers in a way that does not impede workers, shoppers, and customers in performing prayers.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, has pledged to revive a more “moderate Islam”.

He has loosened ultra-rigorous social restrictions by scaling back the role of religious morality police, permitting public concerts, lifting a ban on cinema and allowing women to drive.

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