Opinions

A proposal to designate Friday as a working day with reduced hours, sparking debate on social media platforms, has been met with both opposition and support. The proposal suggests that official holidays would begin after prayer and continue through Saturday and Sunday. However, the opposition argues that this proposal contradicts religious and cultural values, and that it does not fully understand the implications of its implementation. Furthermore, the proposal is seen as a mere suggestion that could be implemented or rejected, given the changing nature of reality and concepts, particularly those related to identity, social and religious principles. This opposition emphasizes the need to preserve and uphold these values and principles with certainty and conviction, in the face of Western cultural and intellectual influences that have permeated Arab societies and undermined religious and social values that distinguish us as Islamic communities. 

Some countries have adopted this approach, and it is being implemented in practice, while others are still in the study phase. This raises many concerns and objections. How can we abolish Friday, a day that stands out from the rest of the week with its religious and spiritual atmosphere, and replace it with Saturday and Sunday? Since we were young, we have known that Friday is a special day for worship, and we have been instructed by God in the Holy Quran to prepare for it: "O you who believe, when the call for prayer on Friday comes, hasten to it. But if you are prevented, then perform your salah. Verily, Allah is forgiving and Merciful." What is happening today? Have we become so willing to adopt Western changes that we are even willing to change our religious feelings and rituals? Are we blindly following their path, sacrificing our religious identity and traditions in exchange for their culture and commands? This is their goal today! They sanctify Saturday and Sunday.&"Jews and Christians"&"They have their place and importance as a fixed holiday, due to its connection with practicing their beliefs. We ignore the value of this day and marginalize it, replacing it under the guise of change and development and civilization. What kind of change is this when worldly interests outweigh religious interests, and Western interests outweigh the interests of Muslims? What kind of development is this when Western interests dictate the marginalization of our beliefs and the dismantling of our traditions? Enough with our subservience and acceptance of what the West dictates to us. Our religious traditions are a red line. Friday is a sacred day for drawing closer to God and reciting the Quran. It has its feelings, virtues, and customs. We must adhere to them as we have always done since childhood, as the Prophet said, "One of the best days for you is Friday, in which Adam was created, in which he was killed, in which the breath was blown, and in which the thunderclap occurred. So make the most of it in prayer." We hope that this is a suggestion that can be reconsidered and rejected before it is implemented. Before we implement it, let us hold onto it as a sacred day for drawing closer to God through increased worship, obedience, remembrance, and charity, as the Jews and Christians hold onto their rituals on their Sabbath days."&... So should we follow them and emulate them?