Yes, you read this right.
In the first ever case in Malaysia, six Muslim men were sentenced to a month in jail and a hefty fine of over RM2,000 for skipping out on Friday prayers to go to a waterfall.
They were found and caught at the Sekayu Waterfall between 1pm and 1.50pm on August 23rd, 2019 after the area was raided by the Terengganu Islamic Religious Affairs Department.
Photo: Lonely Planet
Its female officers had entered the recreation area and found them to be among others who were picnicking at the waterfall area instead of being at the mosque for their obligatory Friday prayers.
According to reports by Harian Metro, Khairul Azle Abdul Rasid, 35; Abdul Malek Mohd, 25; Muhamad Hafizi Abdul Razak, 22; Muhammad Aliff Fikri A Mazzani, 19; and two unnamed 17-year-old boys were given the sentence by Syarie judge Nik Mohd Shahril Irwan Mat Yusof at the Hulu Terengganu Lower Shariah Court last Monday (2 Dec), pleading guilty to a charge of deliberately missing the compulsory Friday prayers.
Photo: Harian Metro
All six were not presented by any lawyers as they were accused of violating Section 16 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment (Takzir) amendment 2016, which provides for a maximum jail sentence of two years, or a fine up to RM3,000 on those convicted.
While all of them were sentenced for one month in jail, father of two, Khairul Azle got the heftiest fine of RM2,500, while the rest were each fined RM2,400 each.
This may be an odd case for us to comprehend but let it be a reminder for us the next time we want to skip our Friday prayers in Terengganu.
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
