Malaysia: Friday prayers crackdown

Emily Pollok  |  World
Date posted:  9 Oct 2025
Share Add       
Malaysia: Friday  prayers crackdown

'Terengganu Crystal Mosque.' Source: Wikimedia Commons

Men in the state of Terengganu who fail to attend Friday prayers without a valid reason could be jailed for up to two years, according to new laws announced by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

Under Sharia law, imposed by the governing PAS, non-attendance now threatens fines of 3,000 ringgit (£527), imprisonment, or both, as opposed to the prior penalties which were limited to 1,000 ringgit (£176) or a six-month jail sentence.

“The strict enforcement of Friday prayer attendance in Terengganu is observed as part of the broader Islamisation effort, especially in states like Terengganu and Kelantan which are governed by PAS,” a spokesperson for Open Doors told en. “Similar provisions exist in other states like Selangor, Penang or Johor, but they are not as strict nor as strongly enforced compared with Terengganu.

Share
< Previous article| World| Next article >
Read more articles on:   Malaysia
Read more articles by Emily Pollok >>
UK & Ireland
Scotland: Humanists go on offensive

Scotland: Humanists go on offensive

Humanists are calling out Scottish schools for what they allege is Christian bias and a lack of inclusivity in religious …

World
Quebec: Prayer ban plan outrage

Quebec: Prayer ban plan outrage

Quebec is moving towards banning public prayer in a concerning push to limit religious expression in the region.Criticised for …

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access from just £18/year

Find out more

Looking for a job?

Browse all our current job adverts

Search