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Fined for not attending prayers in his ‘mukim’
By Sheridan Mahavera
Malaysia: New Straits Times
In a strange case, a 68-year-old man was fined RM300 or one month’s jail for not attending Friday prayers in his mukim (sub-district).
Mohamad Taib, from Kedepal here, pleaded guilty to not attending Friday prayers at a mosque in his area three consecutive times, an offence which in Kelantan carries a maximum RM1,000 fine or a six-month jail term.
The labourer was caught by Pasir Mas Religious Affairs Department officers after two months of surveillance at the mosque.
Pasir Mas Lower Syariah Court prosecutor Rohani Kadir said the officers and mosque officials found that Mohamad had not attended Friday prayers at the mosque between June and July last year.
He was charged under Section 101 of the Kelantan Islamic Council and Malay Customs Enactment 1986 (Amendment 1994).
In mitigation, Mohamad pleaded for a lighter sentence as he claimed his absence was due to being constantly ill from asthma.
However, Syariah Court judge Mohd Hafiz Daud said that it was not an excuse, suggesting on the contrary that his asthmatic condition was due to his having strayed from God.
"A person like you should be closer to God and attend Friday prayers in future," he said.
Mohamad paid the fine.
It is learnt that his case was one of the few instances in which the enactment has been enforced in recent years.
The provision states that it is an offence for Muslims not to attend Friday prayers three consecutive times in the mukim where they reside, failing which mosque authorities are allowed to report the offender to religious authorities.
Friday is a public holiday in Kelantan.