GEORGE TOWN, Oct 18 — The Penang State Fatwa Committee has declared the practices, beliefs and ideology of members of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) and its affiliates deviate from and contradict the true teachings of Islam.
Penang Islamic Religious Council president Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the group was still propagating beliefs and practices of Darul Arqam and Syarikat Rufaqa’ Corporation Sdn Bhd, both of which had been declared deviant.
“The Penang State Fatwa Committee’s decision is based on detailed information and valid evidence provided by the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department’s enforcement division and police, which found GISBH to be deviant in faith.
“Among their beliefs is that Asy-Syeikh Muhammad Abdullah As-Suhaimi, or Sheikh Muhammad Suhaimi, is not dead but has disappeared, and will return as Imam Mahdi. They also believe Darul Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad, known as Abuya, is the Pemuda Bani Tamim who will assist Imam Mahdi in the end times,” he told a press conference here today.
Also present was Penang Mufti Datuk Mohd Sukki Othman.
Mohamad said GISBH members still practise Aurad Muhammadiah, or the Darul Arqam’s version of zikir agung, which was previously declared deviant, and also believed in tabarruk, or seeking blessings from water used to wash their leaders’ bodies.
The Penang Deputy Chief Minister I said GISBH was found to engage in a system with elements of slavery and oppression, as well as exploitation of its members, especially women and children.
Penang is the sixth state to declare the teachings and practices of GISBH heretical and deviant, after Selangor, Perlis, Pahang, Melaka, and Sabah.
Mohamad said the fatwa committee ruled that Muslims, whether individually or in groups, are prohibited from practising or adhering to beliefs and teachings similar to those of GISBH.
“This includes possessing, storing, publishing, copying, printing, selling, distributing or broadcasting any materials related to GISBH, as well as organising, supporting, holding or facilitating any event, celebration, ceremony or activity (associated with these beliefs),” he said.
He said the fatwa committee prohibits Muslims from providing facilities, donations, financing, assistance, or support to any individual or organisation to spread the teachings, beliefs, or ideologies similar to those of GISBH.
Mohamad said the decision will soon be submitted to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for consent before it is gazetted.
At the same press conference, he said four premises believed to be linked to GISBH in Penang have been shuttered.
He added that the state government had designated the Darul Hidayah Complex in Permatang Tok Gelam, Penaga, as a faith recovery centre for GISBH members.
— Bernama
