Saudi columnist Saleh al-Sheehi has called for moving the evening prayer ahead one hour as a better option for businesses that close for the prayer, reopen for another hour and then close again, Al Arabiya reported Sunday (December 26th).

Al-Sheehi, a columnist with Al-Watan, told the network that the delay would result in economic and social benefits.

"Delaying prayers is not against the law," al-Sheehi said, citing government closures during Ramadan. "Saudi families would be given one extra hour to finish their shopping instead of waiting until stores reopen after prayers."

Evening prayers usually take place around 7 pm. Al-Sheehi's proposal is to delay them until 8pm and then have stores close for the day, rather than re-open at 8pm.