Sharia Court: Man Gets Flogged in Mosque for Spending Time Alone with Woman

• A 42-year-old man was flogged inside a mosque in Malaysia's Terengganu state after being convicted by a Sharia court for spending time alone with a woman who was not his wife or relative
• This marks the first instance of a Sharia court-ordered whipping taking place outside of a court setting in Malaysia
• The event has sparked concern from human rights advocates, who argue that such punishments strip individuals of their dignity and have no place in a modern justice system

In a rare and controversial event, a 42-year-old construction worker was flogged inside a mosque in Malaysia's conservative state of Terengganu on Friday.

Convicted by a Sharia court for spending time alone with a woman who was neither his wife nor relative, the man received six lashes, marking the first instance of a Sharia court-ordered whipping taking place outside of a court setting in Malaysia, according to the official Bernama news agency.

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Malaysia mosque flogging

The incident occurred after Friday prayers, with the man being delivered to the mosque in a prison van, wearing an orange inmate’s jumpsuit.

The caning, a punishment for the Islamic crime known as “khalwat,” was witnessed by an audience of around 90 people.

The Malaysian Bar association of lawyers expressed "profound concern" over the decision, stating that such punishments strip individuals of their dignity.

However, some spectators, like Mohd Sabri Muhammad, believed it would deter immoral acts.

Malaysia's dual-track legal system allows Islamic courts to handle certain matters for Muslim citizens.

While Sharia court-ordered caning is rare, it is not uncommon. In 2018, two women were caned in front of more than 100 spectators for violating religious laws by having sexual relations.

Critics argue that caning aims to humiliate as well as physically punish the recipient, and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia recently stated that such punishments have no place in a modern justice system.

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Man flogged in mosque for spending time alone with woman

Makinde to Allow Sharia Court in Oyo

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has acknowledged plans to inaugurate a Sharia Court in the state.

However, the governor emphasized that such a move must comply with the Nigerian Constitution. As reported by The Guardian, the Supreme Council of Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo State chapter), will inaugurate the court by January 11, 2025.

Source: Legit.ng