Religious laws have become stricter in the state of Trenganu, Malaysia. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
According to the recently adopted new rule, severe punishment has been set for men who skip Friday prayers without a valid reason. The Guardian reported on this change.
Under the new regulation, based on Sharia law, those who miss Friday prayers for the first time may face imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, they may be fined 3,000 ringgit or imprisoned along with the fine.
These rules came into effect this week, and the enforcement has been assigned to special religious patrols and the Trenganu Islamic Affairs Department. Previously, those who missed three consecutive Friday prayers faced up to six months in prison or a fine of 1,000 ringgit.
Now, the penalties have been intensified, sparking heated debates among the public. Critics consider the new law to be against human rights.
According to one public activist, religious freedom is not only the right to believe or pray but also includes the option not to participate. They are calling on the government to repeal the punishment policy.
Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, a member of the Trenganu state legislative assembly, emphasized that this law is applied as a last resort. According to him, Friday prayer is not only a religious symbol for Muslims but also a clear indicator of obedience and unity.
Interestingly, this law is not new. It was adopted in 2001 and in 2016 the penalties were increased for disrespecting the month of Ramadan and for harassment of women in public.
Islam is the state religion in Malaysia, but the country has two legal systems. While general civil laws apply, Muslims are judged through Sharia courts on personal and family matters.
The country’s population is approximately 34 million, two-thirds of whom are Muslims. The new rule in Trenganu state is causing significant controversy in society.
Because on one hand, religious practices are emphasized, while on the other hand, issues of human freedom and rights are becoming increasingly important.
