The government of Kelantan, a conservative Malaysian state, has passed a hardline Islamic law that makes it a criminal offence for Muslim men to skip Friday prayers, a move that has sent shockwaves through the country's political and religious landscape.
The controversial legislation, enacted by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), empowers religious authorities to impose a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a fine of up to RM1,000, or both for those found guilty of absenteeism from the weekly congregational prayers without a valid reason.
A Deepening Religious Divide
The new ruling, which applies to all Muslim males who have reached puberty, is seen by critics as the most aggressive step yet in the 'Islamisation race' between Malaysia's states. It places Kelantan firmly at the forefront of a push for a stricter interpretation of Sharia law within the country's dual-track legal system.
Opponents have slammed the law as heavy-handed and unenforceable, arguing it represents a dangerous overreach by the state into personal religious devotion. "Compelling faith through the threat of prison is not in the spirit of Islam," one human rights advocate was quoted as saying.
Enforcement and Exemptions
State officials have stated that the law is intended to be educational rather than purely punitive. They cite exemptions for those with legitimate reasons for absence, such as illness, travel, or unavoidable work commitments. However, the vague wording surrounding what constitutes a 'valid excuse' has raised concerns about arbitrary enforcement and the potential for abuse.
The move has ignited a fiery debate across Malaysia, a nation with a significant non-Muslim minority. Many are questioning whether such laws strengthen religious observance or instead drive a deeper wedge between the country's diverse communities.
