‘Observance of uniform prayer timings voluntary’

ISLAMABAD: After Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousaf announced enforcement of Nizam-i-Salat in the federal capital from Friday, it was later decided that its implementation would solely be on voluntarily basis.

The meeting of a committee, comprising Ulema and officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, was held here on Friday after prayer break in which it was decided that there would be no forced implementation of the Nizam–i-Salat.

Under the system, call to prayer (Azaan) and prayer timings at all mosques would be the same irrespective of the sect.

Though the system has been widely accepted by clerics and the mosque administrations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is still skeptical about its success.

“We have started distributing Azaan and prayer timing calendar among the mosques,” an official of the ministry said, adding that “to ensure that the system is successful a fresh round of meeting will be held with the Ulema and traders next week”.

The government want traders to close their markets during prayers as per the calendar prepared by the ministry.

“This will be voluntary and if any shopkeeper does not want to close his shop during the prayer timing, there will be no penalty on him,” the official added.

Traders of the federal capital are already at odds with the government over the market closure time. The government has directed that all shops should close by 8pm and restaurants by 11pm. —A Reporter

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2015

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