SHAH ALAM, 10 Dec: The state government does not intend to provide laws to shut-down business premises and supermarkets during Friday prayers.

The Exco for Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs and Heritage, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, said that this is difficult to be carried out in a state that has a population consisting of various races and religions.

“However, we can carry out enforcement against any employer found to prohibit their male workers from carrying out the Friday prayers.

“There are also several places in Selangor which shuts down its premises during the Friday prayers,” he told reporters.

Prior to that, he officiated the closing ceremony of the Selangor State Assistant Marriage Registrar Discussion Programme at Intekma Resort & Convention Centre this afternoon.

Yesterday, the Terengganu state government ordered all supermarkets in the state to shut-down on Fridays, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, starting January next year.

The Chief Minister of Terengganu, Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, said that the decision was made to prevent Muslims, especially the young people, from not performing the Friday prayers by loitering on the premises.

In Selangor, several constituencies like Paya Jaras and Meru, which have a majority of Muslim residents, shut-down their premises and stalls for two hours during the Friday prayers.

NS