Malaysia To Jail or Fine Men For Skipping Friday Prayers in Terengganu

• Fines up to RM 3,000.
• Two years of jail.
• This is a part of newer Takzir law amendment.

KUALA TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA — Muslim men in Malaysia’s Terengganu state now face fines up to RM 3,000 (£525) or two years’ imprisonment for missing a single Friday prayer under a revised Shariah law.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), governing the state, announced the amendment to the Shariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment, eliminating the previous three-strike rule.

Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, Terengganu’s executive council member, defended the law as a “last resort” to reinforce religious obedience.

“Friday prayers are a symbol of faith and discipline,” he stated, confirming banners would be displayed at mosques and patrols deployed to identify offenders. Public reports can also trigger investigations.

Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, Terengganu’s executive council member.

Lawyer Azira Aziz criticized the mandate on X: “So much for no compulsion in Islam. Advocacy would suffice, not criminalization.”

Terengganu’s enforcement reflects PAS’s broader push to expand Shariah penalties nationally.

The party previously advocated for hudud punishments like amputation for theft.

Malaysia’s dual legal system applies Shariah laws to Muslims in personal matters, though federal courts recently nullified 16 Kelantan state Shariah laws for overstepping federal jurisdiction.

Johor state signaled similar Friday prayer enforcement last November, deepening concerns over religious coercion in the multi-ethnic nation.

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