Muslim men in Malaysia’s Terengganu state now face harsher punishments if they skip Friday prayers without a valid reason, with penalties including up to two years in prison, a fine of 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approx. ₹42,000), or both. The new regulation, introduced under the Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment law, was announced by the ruling Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) earlier this week.

According to Terengganu State Executive Council member Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, even missing a single Friday prayer is now considered a punishable offence. “This reminder is important because Friday prayers are not only a religious symbol but also an expression of obedience among Muslims,” Hadi was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Previously, the law stipulated that only those who missed three consecutive Friday prayers were liable for punishment. The maximum penalty earlier was six months’ imprisonment or a fine of 1,000 Ringgit (approx. ₹14,000). The new rules mark a significant tightening of regulations, reflecting PAS’s broader push for stricter enforcement of Islamic practices in the state.

Malaysia operates under a dual legal system: civil law applies to all citizens, while Sharia law governs personal, family, and religious matters for Muslims, who make up about two-thirds of the country’s 34 million population.

The new law has, however, sparked criticism from human rights groups.Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates (AHRLA), condemned the regulation, saying it undermines fundamental freedoms. “Freedom of religion and belief also means freedomto not believe or participate,” he said. Robertson urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to scrap the penalties, warning that “laws like this give Islam a bad name.”

This is not the first time PAS has pushed for stricter Islamic laws. The party previously introduced hudud, a criminal code prescribing punishments such as amputation for theft and stoning for adultery, although implementation faced legal and political hurdles.

Meanwhile, similar enforcement efforts have been reported in other states. Last November, Johor’s top Islamic authority declared that measures would be taken to ensure Muslim men attend Friday prayers. However, in February 2024, Malaysia’s top court struck down more than a dozen Shariah-based state laws, raising questions about the legality of such strict religious enforcement.

The Terengganu law is expected to reignite debates over religious freedom, human rights, and the balance between civil and Sharia law in Malaysia.