The Malaysian state of Terengganu has threatened to jail Muslim men who skip Friday prayers for up to two years.
Under the state’s Sharia law, first-time offenders who skip the weekly congregational Jumuah prayers with no valid reason could be imprisoned for up to two years, and fined 3,000 ringgit (£527).
In some cases, both could be applied, as the new state rules came into effect this week.
The leading party, Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), announced the new rules on Monday.
Previous regulations only applied to men who missed three consecutive Friday prayers, as they would be liable to a six-month prison sentence and a 1,000 ringgit (£176) fine.
Various questions have arisen about the functionality of such rules, such as how the state would find out if men had missed the prayers.
The enforcement of the sharia legislation would rely on reports from the public, as well as religious patrols who would cooperate in joint operations with the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department.
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Various criticisms have arose from both within Malaysia and outside, as analysts call the measures “shocking” or “draconian”.
The Terengganu state legislative assembly member Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi told the local media Berita Harian that “this reminder is important because Friday prayers are not just a ritual, but also a symbol of Muslim obedience”.
He also added that the “punishment will only be imposed as a last resort if the warning is ignored by individuals who fail to fulfil their obligations.”
As a way of reminding people of the legislation, signs and banners will be placed in the mosque courtyards as a clear warning about the obligations to perform Friday prayers.
Malaysia’s dual-legal system
However, this legislation is not new to the Terengganu state, Dr Muhammad Khalil said the sentence was in line with the Sharia Criminal Enactment (Takzir) of 2016, which was enacted several years ago.
Last week saw an amendment to this law that made punishments applicable not only to those who missed three consecutive Friday prayers, but even if the individual misses one without a valid reason.
Malaysian law comprises of a complicated dual system which blends both civil and Islamic law. Sharia law only applies to the country’s 63.5% Muslim population.
This has been a source of conflict in the past, as issues have arisen surrounding multi-religious families, conversions, and the gradual decline in authority of the civil law.
The law surrounding the Jumuah prayers is yet another issue that has sparked backlash within Malaysia and abroad.
