Malaysian state threatens to jail Muslim men who skip Friday prayers

The Guardian

11 hours ago

The Malaysian state of Terengganu has threatened to jail men who skip Friday prayers without a valid reason for up to two years.
Under sharia law in the Malaysian province, first-time offenders could be imprisoned for up to two years, and fined 3,000 ringgit (£527), or both, according to new rules that came into effect this week.
The new rules were announced by the governing Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) on Monday.
Previously, those who missed three consecutive Friday prayers faced a maximum of six months in prison or a fine of up to 1,000 ringgit (£176).
Worshippers would be reminded of the rules by mosque signage, while enforcement would rely on reports from the public and religious patrols in joint operations with the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department.
Critics have described the measures as 'shocking'.
'Laws like this give Islam a bad name,' said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates (AHRLA).
'Freedom of religion and belief also means freedom to not believe or participate, so Terengganu authorities are blatantly abusing human rights with this draconian law,' he said, adding that prime minister Anwar Ibrahim should revoke the penalties.
Terengganu state legislative assembly member Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi told the local daily Berita Harian that punishments would only be imposed as a last resort.
'This reminder is important because Friday prayers are not only a religious symbol but also an expression of obedience among Muslims,' he said.
The Terengganu state government did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.
The legislation was first enacted in 2001 and amended in 2016 to include heavier penalties for offences such as failing to respect Ramadan and harassing women in public.
Muslim-majority Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, in which Islam is the official religion, but operates alongside civil law. Sharia courts hold authority over personal and family matters for Muslims, who make up about two-thirds of the country's population of 34 million.
Recent developments in Terengganu highlight the ongoing struggle between religious rule and civil freedom.
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which governs Terengganu, has sought to tighten religious enforcement across four of 13 Malaysian states it controls.
The party holds all 32 seats in Terengganu's legislative assembly, leaving no opposition.
In 2021, the neighbouring state of Kelantan attempted to expand sharia criminal law to include offences such as sodomy, incest, gambling, sexual harassment and the desecration of places of worship.
Malaysia's federal court quashed the laws in 2024, ruling them unconstitutional, in a decision that prompted mass protests by PAS supporters, who called for protection of sharia laws.