Terengganu introduced sharia rules allowing first-time offenders who skip Friday prayers without a valid reason to face up to two years in prison, a 3,000 ringgit fine, or both. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party announced the rules, replacing prior penalties that applied after three consecutive missed Friday prayers with a maximum six months’ prison or a 1,000 ringgit fine. Enforcement will use mosque signage, public reports, and religious patrols working with the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department. Critics call the measures draconian and an abuse of religious freedom, while state legislators say punishments will be a last resort.
Worshippers would be reminded of the rules by mosque signage, while enforcement would rely on reports from the public and religious patrols in joint operations with the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department. Critics have described the measures as shocking. Laws like this give Islam a bad name, said Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates (AHRLA). Freedom of religion and belief also means freedom to not believe or participate, so Terengganu authorities are blatantly abusing human rights with this draconian law,
The legislation was first enacted in 2001 and amended in 2016 to include heavier penalties for offences such as failing to respect Ramadan and harassing women in public. Muslim-majority Malaysia has a dual-track legal system, in which Islam is the official religion, but operates alongside civil law. Sharia courts hold authority over personal and family matters for Muslims, who make up about two-thirds
Collection
[
|
...
]