GISBH-LINKED INDIVIDUALS IN SELANGOR MAY UNDERGO FAITH RESTORATION PROCESS

SHAH ALAM, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The 108 individuals linked to GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), previously detained by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), may need to undergo an aqeedah (faith) restoration process.

JAIS director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said this measure was in line with the decision adopted by the Selangor State Fatwa Committee, which ruled that GISBH and its network have deviated from the true teachings of Islam.

“All those detained have been released on bail, and it is likely that faith restoration will be part of the punishment once the fatwa is gazetted.

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“The rehabilitation of faith requires the individual’s willingness, but for those aged 18 and above, we need a foundation for such action, such as the fatwa that determines they need to undergo (faith) restoration before the process can be initiated.”

He said this to reporters after the closing ceremony of the Selangor Al-Barzanji and Marhaban Festival at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque here today.

Previously, JAIS was reported to have detained 108 individuals linked to GISBH for suspected involvement in various syariah criminal offences, including those related to faith, unauthorised charity collections and marriages.

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On Oct 3, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah consented to the latest fatwa issued by the State Fatwa Committee, declaring that the leaders, followers, employees or members of GISBH and its affiliates have deviated from the true teachings of Islam.

The Selangor Royal Office, in a statement on its Facebook page, said that this decision was made because GISBH members were believed to still be practising the “Aurad Muhammadiah” or the “Zikir Agung” ritual propagated by the Darul Arqam group, which had been declared deviant from the true teachings of Islam according to Gazette No. 54, published on Feb 4, 1993.

-- BERNAMA