A well-known Saudi newspaper columnist has proposed a one-hour delay in Muslim evening prayers to allow shops to shut for the day.

Saleh Al Shihi, who writes in Alwatan Arabic language daily and other papers, said this would bring economic, social and security benefits to the Gulf Kingdom.

In comments aired by the Saudi satellite TV news channel Alarabiyya, Shihi said a system involving a one-hour delay in evening prayers enforced during the fasting month of Ramadan can be implemented through the year.

“There is no system that prevents a delay in evening prayers…in Ramadan, the government forces mosques to delay evening prayers for one hour to give fasting Muslims time to have their evening meal and all comply with this,” he said.

“My reason for proposing this delay through the year is stronger than allowing the fasting Muslims to have their evening meal on time as it involves security, economic and social benefits…delaying the evening prayers for one hour will give Saudi families a chance to go shopping while at the same time allow shops to shut for the day instead of closing for prayers and reopen after prayers.”

Shihi said such a system should exclude restaurants, pharmacies and other shops selling essential goods, adding that a law forcing shops to close at eight pm instead of midnight would “bring Saudi Arabia on par with other societies.”

“We are the only society in the world that gives families a chance to do shopping until midnight…we need a new system that should not be subject to religious legislation as it has nothing to do with religion.”