JAIS detains 67 `Islam Jamaah' deviationist group members

The Selangor Religious Affairs Department (JAIS) on Wednesday detained 67 people, including the leader, of the deviationist group, Islam Jamaah.

They were picked up from a two-storey house in Kampung Batu 8, Sijangkang, about 9.30 pm.

JAIS Director Datuk Mansur Ramli said here on Thursday that all the members were detained for violating the Government's fatwa and because the group's teachings were not in accordance with the Sunnah Wal Jamaah teachings practised in the country.

In 1998, the Government had issued a fatwa which outlawed the group's teachings as it deviated from the true teachings of Islam.

The deviationist teachings of the group were detrimental to society as it could lead astray and divide the Muslims in the country, Mansur said.

Among the false beliefs followed by the group are complete obedience to the sect leader, non-followers of the group are considered heretics, the sect leader is the source of all rulings and poligamy is forbidden.

The followers of the group also believe that the Friday congregational prayers can be conducted at home with less than 40 people and regard prayers at mosques customary.

They also reject all hadith (sayings of the Prophet) by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, Mansur said.

It also believes that animal carcasses can be consumed and the bones of pigs are not forbidden.

The group is not authorised to teach religion, Mansur said, adding that it has been in existence in the country for over a year.

Most of its members are from Indonesia as the teachings profounded by the group was founded in East Jawa by Haji Nurhasan Ubaidah Lubis in 1941.

The members will be charged under the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995 and if convicted are liable to a two-year jail term or a fine of RM3,000 or both.

All of them would also be sent to the JAIS Faith Rehabilitation Centre in Ulu Yam for six months with the consent of the Syariah Court, he said.