The article "Shoura to review closure of stores during prayer times" (Oct. 18) reports that the Shoura Council is going to consider a recommendation that hospitals, pharmacies and shopping malls remain open during prayer times. This is not a good idea. The time between the call to prayer (adhan) and the completion of congregational prayer is a maximum of 30 minutes. If we cannot take out half an hour for salah, then what can we do? Many people have learned the habit of going to the mosque for prayer just because of this practice of closing the shops and other commercial establishments during salah. This is one of the main reason we love working in Saudi Arabia. It is the Kingdom's rules and regulations that have brought millions of people from around the world closer to Islam. Mohammed, Online response
