With about 2 weeks left for Ramadhan, many Muslim friends who are currently fasting must be excited for Raya which is currently expected to fall on April 10th, 2024.
The need to resist the urge to drink and eat for about 14 hours is not an easy feat but similar to all different cultural practices, there’s always a reason for that – to understand the feeling of hunger, and a “training” to be patient. The Johor State Religious Department recently carried out an operation to catch those who are not fasting and publicly eating, or smoking.
In an FB post by the Chairman of the State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, he said that the operation, known as Ops Kesan, was carried out to educate the wrongdoers. A total of 4 summonses were issued during the 2-hour operation which started at 12pm, including 2 men who were caught not fasting.
“All offense notices issued are made in accordance with Section 15(a) and Section 15(b) of the Shariah Criminal Offenses Enactment 1997 which provides for a fine of RM1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 6 months or both.”
Both men explained that they were tired from work.
“Operations will continue to be carried out to warn any Muslims who deliberately disrespect the glory of the month of Ramadan including, imposing legal action on them.”
Fared also expressed his sadness to see some of the Muslim friends who disrespect the holy month by eating publicly.
“This effort is to educate and enforce the law because there are shopkeepers and customers who openly eat and drink and also smoke during the fasting period,” Fared explained.
Keep in mind that the conducted operations are only targeted towards our Muslim friends who eat or smoke in public. To the fasting Muslims, hang in there!
Also read: Religious State Dept Catches People Found Not Fasting at Local Mamak in Perak
