Non-Muslim business owners unhappy by order to close 2 hours on Fridays

Businesses in Kota Baru have been ordered to close for two hours from 12.30pm for Friday prayers, The Star reported today, and the move has not gone down well with non-Muslim businessmen who want to be exempted from the ruling.

The English daily reported that the January 14 directive was signed by the Kota Baru municipal council secretary Rosnazli Amin, who warned that action could be taken against those who do not comply.

The move by the capital of PAS-led Kelantan followed neighbouring Terengganu which had directed malls to close for two hours for prayers on Fridays since January 1 to prevent Muslim youths from loitering and avoiding their religious duties.

Kelantan MCA deputy chief Tan Ken Ten denounced the ruling as "totally unnecessary" for non-halal business entities.

He also said the prayer time is also lunchtime for non-Muslims.

"It would be awkward to turn their customers away. Previously, business entities, except for non-halal premises, were only obliged to close during Friday prayers.

"Now it has become mandatory for all, otherwise their licences and permits will not be renewed or worse, they have to pay fines," he was quoted as saying.

Stressing that it would not be a problem for businesses to respect the Muslim's observance of Fridays prayers, Tan, however, said the council has to use its discretion to avoid inconveniencing non-halal businesses.

A non-halal restaurant owner said non-Muslim businesses without any Muslim workers should be allowed to operate as usual.

"This latest circular is like the council trying to force the Islamic ideology down our throats. We should be left out of the ruling. It is unnecessary and inconvenient," the anonymous businessman was quoted as saying.

Another businessman who did not want to be identified claimed he would lose business if he was forced to close shop for two hours.

"All my workers are non-Muslims. If I were to close for two hours every week, I will lose business. All this while, I made the most profit on Fridays when all the other shops are closed. I do not see any reason to close as I don't have any Muslim workers," he was quoted as saying.