Council of Saudi Chambers questions plan to close shops early

The recent proposal to close shops at 9 p.m., which has drawn mixed reactions, has been questioned by the president of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), who said that his organization was not consulted on the matter.
Abdullah Al-Mobty, CSC president, said that shops should remain open until 11 p.m. to avoid a negative impact on businesses across the country. “We don’t have any information about this matter,” he said. “We have set up several committees to improve Saudi markets and protect the interests of both traders and consumers.”
Press reports released last week said that six ministries are working to adopt a decision on the issue, which many say will increase productivity, ensure punctuality at work, create more jobs for Saudis and develop a healthy lifestyle.
Al-Mobty said the move would encourage residents to use their time more constructively during the evening hours and encourage Saudi youth to work in the retail sector. “It will also help reduce the number of expatriates who currently dominate the retail sector,” he said.
Badr Almotawa, a Saudi analyst, emphasized the need to close shops before 9 p.m. “We need a quick decision on this issue without further delay,” he told Arab News.
He said residents would quickly become accustomed to the new opening hours and that the move would not affect businesses. He said many countries have adopted this system. Almotawa proposed keeping restaurants open until 11 p.m.
“This is a wise move from an Islamic point of view,” said Fuad Kawther, a Saudi aviation engineer. “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to sleep early and get up early, which has many health benefits.” However, he stressed that public opinion should be taken into account before making a final decision.