Latest news with #shariah
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Unmarried couple flogged 100 times in Indonesia's Aceh for sex outside marriage under strict Shariah law
BANDA ACEH, June 4 — A man and woman were publicly flogged 100 times each in Indonesia's conservative Aceh province on Wednesday after they were found guilty of sex outside marriage by a court operating under strict Islamic law. Sexual relations between an unmarried couple is outlawed in Aceh, which imposes a version of shariah, the Islamic legal code. Indonesia banned sex outside of marriage in its latest criminal code in 2022 but that law will not come into force until next year. The two were lashed in sets of 10 with a rattan stick as a small crowd watched on at a park in provincial capital Banda Aceh, and the female suspect was lashed by a woman, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. Three other suspects were caned a combined 49 times for alleged gambling and alcohol consumption. 'Today we are carrying out flogging punishment for perpetrators of adultery, alcohol consumption, and online gambling,' Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal told reporters. 'This becomes a moral lesson for the community at large. This flogging punishment becomes a gateway to repentance for them.' Medical services were on standby for all of those convicted. Rights groups have condemned the punishment as draconian. Yet caning retains strong support among Aceh's population as a common punishment for a range of offences including gambling, drinking alcohol and adultery. In February two men were publicly flogged more than 150 times after being found guilty of sexual relations. Gay sex is outlawed in Aceh. The region started using religious law after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Muslim convert fails in bid to return to Christianity
The Court of Appeal today reaffirmed that shariah courts have exclusive jurisdiction in cases involving the renunciation of Islam, and the civil courts cannot interfere. PUTRAJAYA : The Court of Appeal here has dismissed a Muslim convert's attempt to renounce Islam and revert to his original faith of Christianity. Justice M Nantha Balan, who chaired a three-judge panel, held that the man's appeal had no merit. Sitting with him were Justices Nazlan Ghazali and Azmi Ariffin. The 47-year-old man married a Muslim woman in 2010. However, they divorced five years later. In 2016, he filed an application in the shariah court to renounce Islam, but was ordered to attend 'counselling sessions' instead. The shariah court subsequently dismissed his renunciation application and ordered that he undergo further counselling sessions. The man's appeal to the shariah appeals court was also rejected. He then turned to the civil courts seeking to nullify the shariah court's decision, and sought a declaration that he is entitled to profess his original faith. His legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court in 2023. Nazlan, who read out the judgment today, said the civil court had no jurisdiction to hear cases from the shariah courts. 'This is not a case of him never being a Muslim but a renunciation (of Islam). 'We affirm that shariah courts have the exclusive jurisdiction to hear these cases and civil courts cannot interfere,' he added. The court also noted that the shariah court had dismissed the man's application to renounce Islam on grounds that the evidence presented was 'insufficient'. 'He can apply again before the shariah court,' Nazlan said, noting that there had been cases of successful renunciations. The court made no order as to costs. The man was represented by lawyers Iqbal Harith Liang and Firdaus Danial Tan, while senior federal counsel Idayu Amir appeared for the federal government.
Free Malaysia Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Is upholding the law a low point now?
From Safwan Fital I am writing in response to a recent letter to the editor where the writer, a lawyer, claimed that campaigning against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) practices is a crime. I was shocked to read this, especially coming from someone trained in law. A basic search, even through tools like ChatGPT, will confirm that same-sex relations are unlawful in Malaysia under the Penal Code, specifically Section 377A which declares anal and oral sex to be 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature' while Section 377B sets out a penalty of imprisonment for a term which may extend to 20 years, and also with whipping. Since the signboard referenced in the article is in Terengganu, it is also appropriate to refer to the state's shariah law. The Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 2001, specifically Section 30 (Musahaqah), criminalises lesbian acts. These are valid and enforceable laws for Muslims in the state. The writer described the anti-LGBT sentiment as a 'new low,' particularly in a Muslim-majority state. However, it is worth noting that Malaysian law, both civil and shariah, explicitly prohibits such acts. It is, therefore, deeply concerning that a lawyer would make statements in apparent contradiction to the law. Is upholding the law now considered a 'low point'? From a religious standpoint, Islam is clear. The Quran recounts how the people of Prophet Lut were condemned for engaging in same-sex acts. This is a well-known narrative that forms the basis of Islamic moral law. As Muslims, we are obliged to adhere to these teachings. If the writer is implying that divine law is flawed, then that itself borders on insulting religion. Furthermore, a report published two months ago quoted health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad as saying 64% of HIV cases in 2024 involved homosexual and bisexual individuals. This is not a minor issue. The cost of treating such diseases is high, ultimately borne by taxpayers. Can we truly afford to ignore the broader implications? Sadly, I've observed that many people are quick to criticise laws perceived as 'Islamic', forgetting the long-term benefits and protections these laws can provide. We have yet to effectively curb drunk driving and its resulting fatalities. How many more lives must be lost before we acknowledge the value of stricter laws? We also continue to struggle with gambling-related problems. How many more families must be broken before serious action is taken? The laws against LGBT practices must be upheld. They must be supported by all Malaysians, not just Muslims, as part of our collective responsibility to uphold national law. The writer of the original letter should also learn to respect the shariah laws of different states. These laws reflect the will and rights of the people of those states, and the rights of Muslims as protected under the Federal Constitution. Safwan Fital is an FMT reader who also 'reads' law. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
