Doha, Qatar: The Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani, has issued Decision No. (80) of 2025, published today, August 17, 2025, in the Official Gazette (Issue No. 21), regulating the working hours of commercial, industrial, and similar public establishments during Friday prayers.

According to Article (1) of the decision, all commercial, industrial, and similar public establishments are permitted to operate throughout the day on Fridays at hours they determine, with the exception of some specific establishments.

In line with the Ministry’s directives and in the interest of public welfare, Article (2) stipulates that all such establishments must close for one and a half hours during Friday prayers, starting from the first call to prayer.

The following establishments are exempted from this obligation:
• Pharmacies.
• Hotels and lodging facilities.
• Hospitals, health centers, and private medical clinics.
• Fuel stations.
• Commercial establishments located at the state’s entry points, such as airports, land ports, and seaports.
• Telecommunication companies.
• Management of electric and water power-generating machines.
• Bakeries.
• Airline company offices at airports and seaports.
• Businesses where operations continue without interruption and with a shift system.
• Transport of passengers and goods by land, sea, or air.
• Any other activities determined by the specialized department in the Ministry, in accordance with the public interest and well-being.

Article (3) states that all relevant authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, must implement the provisions of this decision, which will come into effect starting the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.