In the Malaysian state of Terengganu, Muslim men who skip Friday prayers without a valid reason can now face imprisonment or fines. Under the new regulation, violators may be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison, fined 3,000 ringgit (approximately 86,000 Bangladeshi taka), or both.
The ruling Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is implementing this measure. State Executive Council member Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi warned that even missing a single Friday prayer will be considered an offense. Previously, penalties were applied only if a person was absent for three consecutive weeks.
He emphasized that Friday prayers are not merely a religious ritual but a demonstration of Muslims’ devotion. Punishments will be used as a last resort for those who repeatedly neglect this duty. To enforce compliance, banners will be displayed at mosques, and monitoring will be conducted through public reports or patrol teams.
This initiative is seen as part of PAS’s broader efforts to strictly implement Sharia law. Currently, the party is the largest political force in Malaysia’s Parliament and governs four states. In the past, PAS has also attempted to implement Hudud laws, which prescribe amputation for theft and stoning for adultery.
Malaysia operates under a dual legal system—Sharia law governs Muslims’ personal and family matters, while civil law applies nationally. Of the country’s roughly 33 million population, about two-thirds are ethnic Malays, all of whom are Muslim. The remaining population includes Chinese and Indian minorities.
Previously, in November, the state of Johor also announced strict measures to ensure Muslim men attend Friday prayers. Last February, Malaysia’s highest court annulled several state-level Sharia laws, prompting strong reactions from Islamist circles, who feared it could weaken the authority of Sharia courts.
Sources: Malay Mail, Independent UK, South China Morning Post.