Muslim Men Must Temporarily Halt Business Activities During Friday Prayers In Johor
"They must not engage in trading, work, or continue dining during prayer time," said Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Fared Khalid.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 27 Nov 2024, 11:36 AM
Muslim male business owners, employees, and customers in Johor must temporarily halt business activities, including restaurant operations, during Friday prayer time
Johor Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Fared Khalid said this during a press conference outside the Johor state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar yesterday, 26 November, reported Bernama.
He said the directive aims to ensure all Muslim men fulfil their obligation to perform Friday prayers.
"Those required to stop business activities are Muslim men; they must not engage in trading, work, or continue dining during prayer time.
"However, exemptions are given to non-Muslims and Muslim women," Fared said.
He added that the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) will enforce this rule to ensure all Muslim men in Johor attend Friday prayers.
Male Muslim employees who experience discrimination for attending Friday prayers should report the issue to the Labour Department, The Star quoted him as saying.
The directive comes as Johor reverts to Saturday and Sunday as its official weekend days, effective 1 January 2025
During the Johor 2025 budget tabling last Thursday, 21 November, Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that the state government will extend the Friday lunch break for both public and private sectors to two hours starting next year, compared to the current one hour and 30 minutes.
During the state assembly sitting yesterday, Fared also answered a question about the preparations the state government has taken to facilitate Friday prayers, reported the New Straits Times.
Fared revealed that 15 schools under the state education department and 11 under JAINJ face logistical challenges due to a lack of nearby mosques or adequate prayer facilities.
To resolve this, a guideline was issued allowing these schools to apply for their surau to be designated as 'Surau Jumaat' or 'Musolla Jumaat'.
