Southwest Aceh. The Southwest Aceh Regency administration has ordered businesses to temporarily halt sales when the call to prayer is heard five times a day and instructed Sharia Police, or Wilayatul Hisbah, to take action against violators.

The directive was issued by the Southwest Aceh Islamic Sharia Office and applies to merchants operating retail stores, food stalls, kiosks, carts, and other commercial establishments.

Under the policy, merchants are expected to suspend transactions when the call to prayer, or azan, is heard and perform prayers at the nearest mosque or prayer room.

Southwest Aceh Islamic Sharia Office Head Muhammad Rasyid said the requirement applies to all five daily Muslim prayers -- Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.

“When the time for one of the five daily prayers begins, as marked by the call to prayer from mosques, merchants are expected to stop all buying and selling activities,” Rasyid said on Thursday.

Rasyid said the directive was not merely a religious appeal but was based on existing regulations governing the implementation of Islamic law in Aceh.

The Islamic Sharia Office cited Aceh Qanun No. 11/2002 on the Implementation of Islamic Sharia in Matters of Faith, Worship, and Islamic Observance, as well as Aceh Qanun No. 8/2014 on the Principles of Islamic Sharia.

Rasyid said Southwest Aceh Regent Regulation No. 41/2025 on the Implementation of Islamic Sharia also provides a legal basis for the policy.

“The approach will be persuasive, with the aim of ensuring that merchants understand both the rules and the reasons behind suspending commercial activities during prayer times,” he said.

The local administration said the temporary suspension was not intended to disrupt economic activity but to allow merchants to perform their prayers before resuming business.

Rasyid urged merchants not to regard prayer times as an obstacle to earning a livelihood, arguing that fulfilling religious obligations could also bring blessings.

“Go immediately to the nearest mosque or prayer room to perform congregational prayers. Let us fulfill our obligations as an expression of obedience to Allah and as a source of peace amid our daily activities,” he said.

“Commercial activities can resume after prayer time, while people still have the opportunity to fulfill their religious obligations in congregation,” Rasyid added.

Meanwhile, Public Order Agency Head Hamdi said authorities would take action against merchants who continue operating during prayer times, although warnings and a persuasive approach would be prioritized.

He specifically said that during Maghrib prayers, all businesses are required to temporarily cease operations from the moment the call to prayer begins until the prayer period ends.

“We will first issue a warning if we find merchants who are still conducting business. If violations continue, action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” Hamdi said.

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