In the KSA as well as Turkey (another Muslim country in which we have lived), mosques generally have shops on their premises. This is an enormous plaza in front of the Great Mosque that is normally full of people -- shoppers, skateboarders, friends chatting, families relaxing, etc. This picture was taken during evening prayer, and so the only people on the plaza were some women (who appeared to be foreign nannies) with their young charges and us. Even the shops all close during prayers, so it's best to time your shopping around prayer times in order to avoid either getting locked in or locked out of a closed shop.