Terengganu Plans Jail, Fines for Missing Friday Prayers

The Terengganu state government in Malaysia, led by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), has implemented a strict Sharia law that punishes Muslim men who skip Friday prayers without valid reasons with up to two years in jail, a fine of RM3,000 (about $710), or both. The law, an amendment to the Sharia Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2016, now holds individuals accountable even for a single missed Friday prayer, whereas previously penalties applied only after three consecutive absences. Officials emphasize that Friday prayers symbolize Muslim obedience and that enforcement is intended to preserve the dignity of Islam, with penalties imposed only after warnings are ignored. The state has installed banners at mosques and relies on public reports and patrols by religious and local authorities for enforcement. Terengganu is the only Malaysian state fully controlled by PAS, which won all 32 legislative seats in 2022, and this move reflects the party's push for greater religious conservatism ahead of Malaysia's next general election. This development highlights the tension in Malaysia's constitutional framework, balancing Islam as the state religion with its pluralistic and secular foundations.