By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Sept 27 — The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has expressed sadness at the extent of the child abuse and neglect perpetrated by members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding Sdn Bhd (GISBH).
His Royal Highness questioned the company's motives, stating that it should have understood that children have rights that must be respected and upheld.
"They also have the right to live and grow in a peaceful and safe environment, free from heinous crimes such as molestation, sodomy, abuse, forced marriages and divorces, forced labour, separation from parents, and even being made to claim orphan status.
"If investigations confirm the criminal acts mentioned, GISBH’s failure to care for children properly and subject them to such injustices is wholly unacceptable, particularly in depriving them of mainstream education," said a statement from the Selangor Royal Office today.
The Ruler called on all Muslims to reflect upon and understand the essence of the Friday sermon in Selangor’s mosques today, titled 'Why is GISBH doing this to children?'
Earlier on, the Ruler graciously joined congregants for their prayers at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam.
Sultan Sharafuddin took note of the news reports highlighting several serious offences allegedly committed by GISBH, including the abuse of students, exploitation of children, forced labour, and sexual crimes, including sodomy, at various charitable homes and Islamic schools under GISBH’s management.
"Ultimately, some of these children could become the heirs and supporters of the misguided beliefs and worldly ambitions of GISBH's leadership. In other words, these children are turned into servants for the leaders’ supremacy.
"As the Head of the Islamic Religion in the state, His Royal Highness, through a royal decree on Saturday (September 21), commanded all Islamic religious agencies in Selangor to take firm measures and conduct thorough investigations to ensure that all those involved in these criminal activities are appropriately dealt with.
"His Royal Highness has also ordered that any unregistered charitable homes and Islamic schools under GISBH and its network, or those suspected of being involved in any criminal activities, including Syariah offences, must be shut down immediately and not allowed to operate in Selangor," it said.
The Sultan decreed that these criminal acts and violations of faith tarnish the good name and purity of Islam. Committing such acts could lead to a Muslim’s faith being compromised and their shahada invalidated.
"His Royal Highness advises parents and guardians who send their children to Islamic schools or charitable care centres to first verify the background of such institutions.
"Muslims must love and treat children with affection, as children are the joy and pride of their parents and guardians, whose care for them may be a cause for entry into Allah SWT’s paradise.
"They must also protect children from any form of abuse and cruelty with sincerity, integrity, and firmness, for the welfare and safety of their lives," said the Selangor Royal Office.
