Outlets and offices will have to remain closed during Friday prayers

Outlets and offices will have to remain closed during Friday prayers

Qatar Living
By Qatar Living

All outlets, including cafes and restaurants, offices, industrial units and clinics, will have to remain closed for 90 minutes during Friday prayers.

A law passed by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday makes the closure that would begin from the first call for Friday prayers (azan) mandatory.

The legislation (Law No. 5 of 2015) is to be published in the official gazette after which it will be effective, reports QNA.

The law says that violators are to be fined QR10,000.

The law also permits some small home-based businesses and rules for such businesses will be issued separately by the Minister of Economy and Commerce.

The law makes it legally binding on all businesses, including shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, clinics, hospitals, vendors, clubs, and industrial units, among others, to be licensed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.

This license will be irrespective of the fact that some other state agency or agencies have also provided the license to an entity to operate.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce will soon issue an extensive list of those outlets that will require a license [The Peninsula]

Photo by Alan Holden

By tech123• 18 Apr 2015 12:49
tech123

Any human being can be perfect either by education or religious follows. It is fundamental very… very… good decision.

By newexpatqatar• 18 Apr 2015 11:54
newexpatqatar

Rightly said my friend ... Qatar is the best !!

By Molten Metal• 18 Apr 2015 11:45
Molten Metal

Slim, Nobody is here to answer this '' ....Remember, if your country gave you a decent salary, a 45 day paid annual leave and a free ticket every year, you wouldn't be here complaining right now... ''

By HAFIZ Ali• 18 Apr 2015 09:06
HAFIZ Ali

The issue is with non Muslims costumers, including cafes and restaurants and Clubs, offices they need to be made aware of their religious obligations.God Save the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

By HAFIZ Ali• 18 Apr 2015 08:51
HAFIZ Ali

We should respect that.The closure should be accepted so as to fulfill the needs of the majority Muslim population.I strongly agree with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Thanks for Emir H H Sheikh Tamim. Hafiz Ali

By HAFIZ Ali• 18 Apr 2015 08:51
HAFIZ Ali

We should respect that.The closure should be accepted so as to fulfill the needs of the majority Muslim population.I strongly agree with the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Thanks for Emir H H Sheikh Tamim. Hafiz Ali

By _Slim_• 17 Apr 2015 15:23
_Slim_

And FYI hospitals and emergency departments are all operational, only walk-in clinics are on prayer break for 90 min.

By _Slim_• 17 Apr 2015 15:23
_Slim_

And FYI hospitals and emergency departments are all operational, only walk-in clinics are on prayer break for 90 min.

By _Slim_• 17 Apr 2015 15:21
_Slim_

In ramadan muslims fast, refraining from food and water makes you weak and tiered and that's why they're given 2 hours off. What's your excuse? Why do you feel entitled to something that you don't get in your own country? Remember, if your country gave you a decent salary, a 45 day paid annual leave and a free ticket every year, you wouldn't be here complaining right now... It's their country they can do what ever the hell they want!

By Molten Metal• 17 Apr 2015 11:06
Molten Metal

Everything is possible with positive attitude .................. .................

By britexpat• 16 Apr 2015 15:13
britexpat

Facepalms

By Cosmopolit• 16 Apr 2015 15:04
Cosmopolit

facepalm

By newexpatqatar• 16 Apr 2015 14:28
newexpatqatar

What if there is a fatal accident on the road during prayer time ..No hospital is going to accept the victim ?

By dohatheexplorer• 16 Apr 2015 13:04
dohatheexplorer

Including hospitals?? what about the emergency department?

By 888mjk• 16 Apr 2015 13:03
888mjk

Good decision and should be implemented for all five times prayer aswell.

By Quicky• 16 Apr 2015 11:55
Quicky

Ya.

By Molten Metal• 16 Apr 2015 11:48
Molten Metal

That's nice ......... one's attention won't be divided ........... focus will be clear .................... ...............

By ataperla• 16 Apr 2015 11:05
ataperla

And what is new with that!! The same was implemented since ages but the thing is why should non muslims workers and non muslims costumers wait till muslims finish their prayer the 90 minutes? If you are muslim worker just arrange that with your manager and go to pray.

Like during month of Ramadan muslims have limited working hours and the same law it doesn’t work with non muslim which they works for full duty hours!! This happen with such employees working in services sectors like hotels the muslims works for 5 to 6 hours and the non muslims works as normal duty hours!!

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