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Terengganu, a Malaysian state, will enforce sharia law, imprisoning Muslim men for missing Friday prayers without valid reasons.
Muslim men perform Friday prayer on the first Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)
Malaysia’s Terengganu state has announced it will fully enforce a sharia law allowing imprisonment of Muslim men for up to two years if they miss Friday prayers without a valid reason, a move critics say is a sharp tilt toward religious conservatism, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing Malaysian news outlets.
The decision has provoked widespread concern online. Malaysian lawyer Azira Aziz argued it contradicts the Quranic principle that “there is no compulsion in religion.” “No one disagrees that Friday prayers are wajib or obligatory, I just think it’s unnecessary to be codified as law as a crime/offence,” she wrote on social media. “Advocacy and awareness programmes would’ve been sufficient.”
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Others warned of the broader implications. “We need voices of concern by all Malaysians, or else we’ll be Taliban soon enough,” wrote Ahmad Azhar, according to SCMP. Some stressed that legal coercion undermines genuine piety. “Piety should come from the heart and not from fear of men,” one online critic said. A few non-Muslim users urged restraint. “Whether it’s a good or bad idea, let Muslims regulate and handle it,” wrote Kenny Tan. “We shouldn’t comment on matters not of our religion, especially when it doesn’t really concern us.”
Terengganu, governed by the Islamist Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), declared on Monday that first-time offenders could now face imprisonment, a fine of up to 3,000 ringgit (US$710), or both, if they fail to attend the weekly congregational Jummah prayer without a legitimate excuse.
Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, a member of the state executive council, said in an interview with Malaysian news outlet Berita Harian: “This reminder is important because Friday prayers are not only a religious symbol but also an expression of obedience among Muslims.”
Previously, only those who missed three consecutive Friday prayers were subject to penalties. Terengganu, with a population of 1.2 million, which is overwhelmingly Malay Muslim, is the only Malaysian state with no opposition in its legislative assembly.
In the 2022 elections, PAS won all 32 seats, giving the party a political monopoly it hopes to consolidate ahead of Malaysia’s next general election, due within two years.
Islam is enshrined as Malaysia’s official state religion but at the same time, Malaysia’s pluralistic society is underpinned by secular principles. People online, according to the SCMP reported warned that moves like Terengganu’s could embolden Islamic hardliners.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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