Arman and Faiz, had a full day of activity planned. I only had the chance to photograph a few more examples of roundabout art.We visited a number of terrific Sabre travel agency customers, plus Saudia Airlines and Pakistan Int'l Airlines. Running a bit late for lunch, we were almost turned away at a fabulous Indian buffet because the afternoon call to prayer (Asr) loomed heavy over our timing. All retail & public access activity comes to a screeching halt
during the three (of five) calls to prayer that occur during business hours. Lights must be turned off, doors shut, store front covers pulled down, this time frame is dedicated to nothing else.
during the three (of five) calls to prayer that occur during business hours. Lights must be turned off, doors shut, store front covers pulled down, this time frame is dedicated to nothing else. That afternoon we had to be extremely careful not to leave our
car [as we sat in the parking lot] lest we arrive too early for a late afternoon appointment which happened to follow the first evening prayer time (Maghrib). During these times the religious police or Mutawa roam the streets in dark SUVs or the malls on foot, etc. looking for those Arab nationals (or other regional nationalities which practice Islam) who are not participating in prayers. According to the government there is no longer any actual interrogation of those detained for un-islamic behavior by the "Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (CPVPV)", as they are officially known. However, there is still much fear of this secretive force and certainly the threat of deportation for a non-Muslim who might be hindering the prayer time activity.
That evening I returned to my hotel late and just before collapsing in a pile, I repacked for the resumption of my travel adventure early the following morning.
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