Saudi Arabia permits businesses to open during Prayers a Key Reform

Saudi Arabia allows businesses to stay open during five daily Muslim prayers. This is a sensitive reform that has helped to improve a country’s image.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has made sweeping economic changes and social changes to decrease the Kingdom’s dependence upon oil and restore the role of religion.
A statement by the Federation of Saudi Chambers stated that “Stores and all other economic and commercial activities will remain open during the working day, especially during prayer hours.”
The new rules eliminate restrictions that Shura Council members had claimed cost the Saudi Arabian economy tens to billions of riyals per year.