A new era of openness

Saudi Arabia is continuing its sweeping reforms policy, by now allowing certain enterprises and businesses to stay open during the five mandatory prayer times. Cafes, restaurants, markets and shops can now stay open and cater for business during the compulsory five prayer times.

This relaxation of the hitherto rule to close shops during prayer time is now optional.

Praying five times a day is basic tenet of Islam, and in order to promote this basic religious duty, all offices and shops close their doors to facilitate and encourage the exercise of the prayer duty. Until now, there has been no backlash against this sudden relaxation of the rules.

The religious police charged with the mandate of promoting virtues and the prevention of vice in Saudi Arabia can now forget about arresting violators of the rule against staying open for business during prayer time.

Here in Jordan, while the greater majority of people do pray five times a day, many do not close their doors during prayer time. Prayer time is not long, and mosques are many and can be found just around the corner in most areas. Prayers, therefore, do not interfere with the conduct of business activity in any case.

The significance of the Saudi relaxation of the rule calling for closing shops for prayer times lies in the fact that it is part and parcel of a bigger and wider process of reforms that the Kingdom has introduced in recent times, and which was highlighted when women were allowed to drive their own cars. There is now a new era of openness in the Kingdom.

The fact that Riyadh is opening up to new ideas is something that must be encouraged in order to continue this road for greater and deeper reforms, especially on women’s rights. Jordan is a model for reforms on women’s rights that are compatible with Islam. No doubt Riyadh will soon follow the Jordanian example.