The Kelantan government has slammed NGO Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) for questioning the state's proposal to penalise male Muslims who do not attend Friday prayers.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Yaakob (below) said the regulation is to be enforced according to the Council of Religion of Islam and Malay Customs (Kelantan) Enactment.

He said non-Muslims should respect the enforcement of the law, which does not even affect them.

"There are many now who wants to question Muslim's religious obligations. I think this need not be raised as we do not criticise other religion.

"For example, we do not question the action to cremate someone of other religion. In Islam this is not allowed but we respect other religion.

"Hence, we hope others would respect other religion as well,” Ahmad, who is also the acting PAS Ulama wing chief was quoted in Utusan Malaysia as saying.

Ahmad emphasised the law is not to find fault or punish, but to ensure Muslims fulfill their religious obligations.

LFL executive director Eric Paulsen earlier said enforcing compulsory Friday prayer attendance in Kelantan is akin to placing Muslims under restricted residence.

Paulsen said the provision is in serious breach of Article 5 of the Federal Constittuion which guarantees liberty, Article 8 which guarantees equal protection under the law, Article 9 which guarantees freedom of movemen and Article 11 on freedom of religion.

"This provision effectively places all Muslims in Kelantan under restricted residence, like hardened criminals, as they would have to 'report' to the local mosque every Friday, failing which it may amount to a criminal offence," he warned.

Kelantan recently announced that a male Muslim who does not perform Friday prayers three weeks in a row in the state could face punishment of up to a year or RM1,000 fine.