Govt announces 2 year jail term for skipping Friday prayers

TERENGGANU, Malaysia – The Malaysian state of Terengganu has announced that skipping Friday prayers without a valid reason is now a punishable offence for Muslim men.

Under the new law, a single absence from Friday prayers can result in a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine of 3,000 ringgit (around 200,000 Pakistani rupees), or both. Previously, only missing three consecutive Fridays was considered punishable.

The rule is enforced under the Sharia Criminal Offences Act, and authorities can act through public complaints or patrols near mosques.

State Minister Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi said the law aims to promote religious obedience and awareness among Muslims. The government will also place awareness banners at mosques to remind citizens of the importance of attending Friday prayers.

Terengganu is governed by the conservative Islamic Party, which is the largest party in Malaysia’s parliament and controls four states. The party has a history of supporting stricter religious laws, including proposals for Hudud laws, such as cutting hands for theft and stoning for adultery.

The new measure has sparked debate among Malaysians about religious freedom, public enforcement, and the balance between law and faith.