God always knows how to
teach naughty people a lesson that they will not forget and do not want others
to do his bidding for God. Have these naughty people asked God's permission if
he is okay for others to do and speak on behalf of God. If yes please present
your findings and documentary evidence or shut up forever.
Several traders at the night market at Taman Bendahara in Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Baru do not agree with the ruling for traders to temporarily cease operations during maghrib (dusk) prayers in Kelantan.
Some believe that the ruling was made to show that Kelantan was “more Islamic” if compared with the other states.
“All kinds of people come to the night market, some drop by after work while students come after their classes, on the time they have.
“We don’t deny that the idea is good in terms of safeguarding our religious obligations, but it is not practical,” a trader, who only wanted to be known as Yusri, told Malaysiakini.
Another trader who sells snacks said they were forced to follow the ruling or they would have to fork out money to pay summonses if they failed to do so.
The man in his 30s who also declined to be named, continued to operate his stall during the time they were supposed to temporarily cease operations.
“Actually, we can take turns to pray. But we have no choice but to follow the ruling, even though many people are here to buy things,” he added.
Stalls operate on Saturdays
Traders in the area began opening their stalls around 6pm at the night market, which operates every Saturday.
With its proximity to Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, it was of no surprise that most of the patrons at the night market were students.
Of the 40 stalls at the night market, it is believed that all are Muslim traders.
Previously, former Kelantan executive councillor Husam Musa questioned why the ruling should apply to non-Muslims, since they should not be obliged to follow Islamic practices.
However, state executive councillor Abdul Fattah Mahmood pointed out that the ruling for traders to temporarily cease operations during maghrib prayers was limited to Muslim traders only and that night market stalls in the state are operated only by Muslim traders.
The ruling for a 10-minute shutdown is to allow Muslim traders to perform the maghrib prayers, as there is a smaller window of time to do so, if compared with the other four Muslim prayer periods throughout the day.
A warning whistle will be blown 15 minutes before the azan (call to prayer), and once more 10 minutes before.
And sharp at 7pm, four men wearing vests bearing the words ‘Skuad Hisbah MBKB-BRI’ (Kota Baru Municipal Council-Bandaraya Islam Regulatory Squad) were seen making their way between the alleys separating the stalls.
With walkie-talkies in hand and hailers slung over their shoulders, the personnel are responsible for enforcing the ruling.
Fifteen minutes later, a siren was heard, signalling for business operations to cease. A Skuad Hisbah officer then announced that all operations should cease temporarily.
However, Malaysiakini found that some traders still continued with their business operations, albeit cautiously.
Others, on the other hand, closed down their stalls at once. These traders refused to sell their goods and told Malaysiakini to wait until they are allowed to resume their operations.
Traders who continued with their operations stopped doing so immediately after they were approached by members of the Skuad Hisbah.
The Taman Bendahara night market resumed operations as usual at 7.35pm, after the announcement allowing traders to resume their business operations.
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