Man Flogged in Malaysian Mosque for Islamic Offence of Being Alone with a Woman

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A 42-year-old construction worker in Malaysia was flogged inside a mosque after being convicted of an Islamic offence for being alone with a woman who was not his wife or relative. The punishment, carried out in the conservative state of Terengganu on Friday, marked the first time a Sharia court-ordered flogging was conducted outside a courtroom in the country.

The man, dressed in an orange inmate jumpsuit, was transported to the mosque in a prison van following Friday prayers. In front of a silent audience of about 90 people, he received six lashes for the offence of “Khalwat” (close proximity), which is prohibited under Islamic law.

This punishment drew criticism earlier in the week from the Malaysian Bar Association, which described the act as a violation of human dignity. “Such punishments strip individuals of their dignity,” the association said in a statement.

However, some spectators defended the flogging, arguing that it serves as a deterrent against immoral behaviour. “Valentine’s Day, New Year’s—there are many opportunities for young people to engage in inappropriate behaviour,” said Mohd Sabri Muhammad, a 37-year-old observer.

Malaysia operates a dual legal system, where Islamic courts handle certain matters for Muslim citizens. Caning, under Sharia law, is generally performed on fully clothed individuals. While rare, such punishments have occurred before.

In 2018, two women were caned publicly in Terengganu for breaching religious laws by engaging in same-sex relations. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia recently criticized such punishments, stating that physical harm and public humiliation are inconsistent with a modern justice system.

The case has reignited debates over the role and implementation of Sharia law in the multi-ethnic nation.

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