PETALING JAYA: Pahang has declared that followers of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) are considered misguided or deviant for continuing the beliefs and practices propagated by the banned Al-Arqam movement.
Pahang mufti Asmadi Naim said that followers of GISBH, including the firm’s Muslim workers, are also considered deviant and misguided for believing that Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad, who died in 2010, did not die but "disappeared".
"This decision applies to all versions, forms or branches of the teachings, including any belief systems, ideologies, philosophies or groups that have existed or may emerge in the future," he said in a statement.
The decision was made by the Pahang mufti’s office through a meeting of the state fatwa committee on Wednesday and was assented to by the state ruler, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Asmadi said the economic system developed by GISBH was also not recognised as "Islamic" and does not comply with shariah principles.
He urged all relevant authorities, including the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, the Pahang Islamic religious department, police, the social welfare department and state education department to work together towards the rehabilitation of GISBH followers.
Pahang is the third state to declare GISBH’s doctrines as deviant, after Selangor did the same on Thursday.
The Selangor Royal Office said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had assented to the state fatwa committee’s decision on Sept 30.
Last month, Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin also declared that GISBH promoted deviant beliefs and operated businesses in an unIslamic manner.
The Perlis fatwa committee concluded that GISBH’s beliefs were a continuation of those adopted by the banned Al-Arqam movement and that they foster a cult-like devotion to its leaders, elevating them to a status comparable to Prophet Muhammad.
