By Rozanna Latiff, Danial Azhar and Hasnoor Hussain
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – On its web site, International Ikhwan Companies and Enterprise Holdings (GISB) describes itself as a Malaysian conglomerate with a imaginative and prescient to implement the Islamic lifestyle according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
However the rescue this week of tons of of youngsters and youths from what Malaysian authorities stated was suspected sexual abuse at charity houses allegedly run by GISB has put again within the highlight the agency’s roots in a spiritual sect outlawed by the federal government three many years in the past.
GISB acknowledges hyperlinks to the spiritual sect Al-Arqam, which was banned in 1994, and names the sect’s late preacher Ashaari Muhammad as its founder, however has largely sought to distance itself from the group’s practices and beliefs, which the federal government views as heretical.
GISB has stated it didn’t run the houses and has denied all allegations of abuse. In a video posted on Fb (NASDAQ:), nonetheless, its chief government stated the agency had damaged unspecified legal guidelines and that there have been ‘one or two’ instances of sodomy on the youth houses.
In 2011, GISB made headlines for its controversial views on intercourse and marriage, which included encouraging polygamous households and establishing the Obedient Wives’ Membership, a bunch that known as on wives to undergo their spouses “like prostitutes”.
The police raids on the charity houses in two Malaysian states this week got here after a number of Islamic leaders known as on the federal government to probe GISB’s actions.
Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin, a lecturer on Islam on the Worldwide Islamic College of Malaysia, stated he was conscious of studies made to Malaysia’s Islamic Growth Division (Jakim) about employee exploitation and deviant teachings at GISB way back to a decade in the past.
“They might stress that they have been exploited, they usually weren’t being paid for work,” he instructed Reuters, citing studies made by former GISB members.
The previous members had additionally held on to Al-Arqam’s teachings and beliefs, Abu Hafiz added.
Police say they’re investigating different allegations, together with cash laundering. Authorities say in addition they plan to scrutinise spiritual faculties run by GISB whereas Jakim stated it might current a report into deviant teachings involving the agency to the cupboard.
Police say many of the youths rescued from the houses in two Malaysian states have been youngsters of GISB members.
Many confirmed indicators of abuse, neglect and emotional trauma, whereas 13 had been sodomised, officers stated on Friday.
‘HIDING UNDER VEIL OF LEGITIMACY’
Residents in Bukit Beruntung, a city wherein a police supply and locals stated authorities had raided a number of youth houses, expressed shock on the abuse allegations.
“If it is true, then that’s actually worrying,” stated Mohd Khair Syafie, the imam of a surau, or Muslim prayer corridor, within the city, some 50 km (31 miles) exterior the capital.
Ashaari Muhammad based the Al-Arqam motion in 1968, which was initially targeted on discussing spiritual points.
Within the Nineteen Eighties, the group, which had tens of 1000’s of followers, was condemned by Malaysia’s spiritual authorities over what they stated have been deviant teachings by Ashaari, whose followers claimed he had supernatural powers and will defer demise.
Ashaari, who had 5 wives and 37 youngsters, spent two years in jail within the Nineteen Nineties and died in 2010.
In 2006, Malaysia’s authorities outlawed Rufaqa Corp, one other firm based by Ashaari, which it described as an try and revive Al-Arqam. A Rufaqa official on the time denied it had an different agenda than preaching Islam and constructing its enterprise.
In an August interview with enterprise every day The Malaysian Reserve, GISB stated the corporate was rebranded from Rufaqa Corp and reiterated it was a industrial entity compliant with Islam.
Munira Mustaffa, government director of safety consultancy Chasseur Group, stated GISB’s companies appeared to assist it “disguise below the veil of legitimacy.”
“Dwelling in a rustic the place they know they’re being watched, GISB have been cautious to current themselves as entrepreneurial people and bonafide businesspeople,” stated Munira.
“However on the identical time, they comply with the identical template as different isolationist communities or cults.”
