Malaysia6 Muslims aged 17-35 were sentenced to one month in prison for failing to pray on Friday at the Terengganu state temple.

Sharia Islamic Court in Terengganu state, northeastern Malaysia on 1 December sentenced to jail and fined $ 575-600 with six men caught on a picnic instead of participating in prayers on Friday, day The holiest of the week for Muslims.

Under Sharia Islamic law, they may have been jailed for up to two years for skipping prayers. 6 defendants are still on bail during the appeal.

"The alleged failure to pray on Friday is a personal matter. Although such behavior may be considered inappropriate in Islamic society, the punishment is excessive and not an option. good to solve the problem, "said lawyer Zaid Malek.

Malek added that the sentence goes against the commitment of the Minister in charge of Religious Affairs that it will focus on improving offenders, instead of punishing them.

Many critics argue that the verdict erodes the tolerant tradition of Malaysian Islam, when just a few weeks earlier, four men were whipped openly for homosexual sex, something considered violating Islamic Sharia law.

Muslim men in Malaysia are required to attend prayer on Friday, but it is rare for them to be severely punished if they miss the meeting.

Malaysia, a country with 60% of the Muslim population, has a dual legal system, in which the Sharia Islamic Courts will hear cases of violations of Islamic law. This court only has jurisdiction over Muslims in matters of religious family law and generally can only imprison criminals for no more than three years.