Working Hours Regulation for Friday Prayer on Official Gazette

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Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu had announced in the group meeting of Justice and Development Party (AKP) on January 5, 2016 that they would make a working hours regulation for Friday Prayer. The regulation has been issued today with the signature of the Prime Minister on the Official Gazette.

The circular titled “Prime Ministerial Circular No. 2016/1 on Friday Prayer” quotes: “As required by the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution and the concerning Law; employers of state institutions and organizations are excused at request without loss of working hours in case of Friday pray coincide with working hours”.

The circular includes the expressions “in case of coinciding with working hours” and “at one’s request” as well as “without causing loss of working hours”. It has not been reflected how the public institutions are going to compensate the shortening of working hours. (HK/DG)