Jakim: GISB using charity homes to revive Al-Arqam

At least 81 homes, including 2 in Sarawak and 6 in Sabah identified

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has identified at least 81 charity homes set up by Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd ( GISB) across the country to revive the deviant Al-Arqam sect which was banned since 1994.

Jakim director- general Datuk Othman Mustapha said the charity homes had between 20 and 80 occupants each and were managed by GISB using public donations and tithe allocation.

“The fact is that the occupants of the charity homes comprise mostly children of GISB staff who did not receive any formal education and were separated from the mainstream development.

“The charity homes are patronised by the Welfare and Medical Services Foundation of

The charity homes are patronised by the Welfare and Medical Services Foundation of Malaysia (YKPPM), which is also responsible for issuing letters for fundraising purposes. Datuk Othman Mustapha, Jakim director-general

Malaysia ( YKPPM), which is also responsible for issuing letters for fundraising purposes.

“(Normally) ahead of the arrival of Ramadan, GISB would apply for the issuance of the letters to be sent to individuals, institutions or companies,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

Othman said the GISB had been covering their activities by claiming that the homes were set up as welfare centres for the ‘asnaf' ( poor) group.

As such, he called on all quarters not to entertain any letters applying for contributions for the homes.

He said 26 of the homes were in Selangor, six in the Klang Valley, Kedah ( six), Penang (three), Perak (five), Melaka (two), Negeri Sembilan (five), Johor (nine), Pahang (five), Terengganu (two), Kelantan (three), Perlis (one), Sarawak (two) and Sabah (six).

Among the charity homes are Rumah Anak Yatim Amal Belaian Kasih (Rabeka) in Ampang, Rumah Amal Kasih Harmoni in Rawang, Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih ( Ralk) in Puchong, Rumah Anak Kesayangku in Bukit Beruntung and Baitus Sakinah Wal Mahabah in Sepang.

Efforts to revive the Al-Arqam sect were said to be masterminded by Hatijah Aam, the widow of the group founder, the late Ashaari Muhammad.

On May 13, Hatijah was detained, together with nine of her followers, at the KL International Airport upon their return from Saudi Arabia. Jakim is scheduled to bring them to court in November for attempting to revive the AlArqam sect.

Hatijah, better known as Ummu Jah, can be prosecuted under Section 12 ( C) of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995 for insulting the religious authority. — Bernama