In a Malaysian state, Muslim men may face up to two years in prison or heavy fines under the Shariah for leaving Friday prayers without legitimate reason.
The officials of the Tangagano state, administered by the Conservative Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PSA), announced on Monday that the violators would be sentenced to imprisonment under the Shariat Criminal Officers Act or a fine of Rs 3,000 (Rs. 2 lakh Pakistani), or any of them.
Mohammed Khalil Abdul Hadi, a member of the Tangagano State Executive Council, warned that leaving Friday prayers would also be a punishable offense.
Earlier, only those who did not pray for three consecutive Friday prayers were punished.
According to the Malaysian newspaper Barita Harian, he said: ‘This reminder is important because Friday prayer is not only a religious symbol but also a manifestation of obedience among the Muslims, so punishment will be given only if people are reminded of Friday prayers, but they still ignore this duty.
He said that the state government would put banners on mosques to remind people the importance of Friday prayers, and the campaign was launched to raise public awareness about the law.
He further warned that action against men who left prayers could be taken through public reports or patrols.
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This implementation in Tangagano reflects the PSA’s widespread efforts to enforce the stringent interpretation of Islamic law in Malaysia.
The party, which is the largest party in the Malaysian parliament and is a ruling party of four of the 13 states of the country, has long supported the tightening of religious punishments and at a time tried to introduce a criminal code called boundaries, which included cutting off hands for theft and committing adultery.
The announcement led to the response on social media.
Lawyer Ezra Aziz wrote on X: ‘Where did the claim of not being oppressed in Islam, or is it a reflection of how few Men of Tangagano pray Friday?’
He wrote: No one disagrees that Friday prayers are obligatory, I just think that it was not necessary to include it as a crime. Advocates and awareness programs were enough. ‘
The legal system of Malaysia is divided into two parts, Shariah resolves personal and family issues of Muslims, while civil laws are also present.
Malaysia’s ethnic malley – which all people are considered to be Muslims according to Malaysian law, have two -thirds of the country’s 30 million population, and also have large Chinese and Indian minorities.
Sharia is Islamic law, which is based on the Qur’an and Hadith.
Last November, the highest Islamic officer of the state said that the state would also take action to ensure that all Muslim men attended the Friday prayer.
The Malaysian High Court in February 2024 revoked dozens of Sharia -based state laws, which led to the response from Islamists, who feared it could harm religious courts across the country.
The 16 laws imposed by the government of the anti -government Kalinton state included penalties for crimes such as homosexuality, sexual harassment, sexual relations in a close relationship, change of clothing and false testimony.
The court said that the state cannot make Islamic laws on these topics as they fall under Malaysian federal laws. After that, the PAS protested massive outside the court and demanded the protection of Sharia laws.
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