KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Askume) – Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) describes itself on its website as a Malaysian group that aims to promote the Islamic way of life in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
But this week, Malaysian authorities accused a charity run by GISBThe rescue of hundreds of children and teenagers suspected of sexual abuse has brought the company’s roots back into the spotlight, which was outlawed three decades ago.
The GISB acknowledges its links to Al-Arqam, a religious sect banned in 1994, and cites the sect’s late preacher Ashari Muhammad as its founder, but has largely maintained the sect’s practices and beliefs and has made efforts to distance itself from the sect.
GISB says it does not operate shelters and denies all allegations of abuse. However, in a video posted on Facebook, the company’s chief executive said the company had violated unspecified laws and that there had been “one or two” cases of homosexuality in youth homes.
In 2011, the GISB made headlines for its controversial views on sex and marriage , which included encouraging polygamous families and the formation of the “Obeid Wives Club”, a group which called on wives to submit to their husbands “like a prostitute”.
Police raided charities in two Malaysian states this week after several Islamic leaders called on the government to investigate GISB’s activities.
Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin, a lecturer in Islam at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said he was aware of reports submitted to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) a decade ago on labour exploitation and false teachings at GISB.
“They insist they were exploited and not paid for the work they did,” he told Askume, citing a report prepared by former GISB members.
Abu Hafiz said that the former members also adopted ʿAlqam’s teachings and beliefs.
Police said they were investigating other allegations, including money laundering. Authorities said they also planned to investigate religious schools run by GISB, and Zakin said they would submit a report to the cabinet on the company’s troubling teachings.
Police said most of the teenagers rescued from homes in two Malaysian states were children of GISB members.
Several people showed signs of abuse, neglect and emotional trauma, and 13 others had been subjected to sodomy, officials said Friday.
“Hidden under a veil of legality”
Police sources and locals said the homes of several youths were raided by residents of the Bukit Berendong township who expressed surprise at the allegations of abuse.
“If this is true, it is really worrying,” said Mohammad Khair Saifi, imam of a Muslim prayer house in a town about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the capital.
Ashari Muhammad founded the Al-Arqam movement in 1968, initially focusing on theological issues.
In the 1980s, the group, which has thousands of followers, was condemned by Malaysian religious authorities for disrupting Ash’ari teachings, and its followers claimed they had supernatural powers that could delay death.
Ashari, who had five wives and 37 children, was jailed for two years in the 1990s and died in 2010.
In 2006, the Malaysian government banned Rufaqa Corp., another company founded by Ashari, in an alleged attempt to revive Al-Arqam. At the time, a Rufaqa official denied that they had any agenda other than spreading Islam and expanding their business.
In an interview with business daily The Malaysian Reserve in August, GISB said the company’s name had been changed from Rufaqa Corp and reiterated that it is an Islamic-compliant business entity.
Munira Mustafa, executive director of security consultancy Chasseur Group, said GISB’s operations allow it to “hide behind a veil of legality.”
“Living in a country where they know they are being monitored, GISB is careful to present themselves as entrepreneurial individuals and legitimate businessmen,” Munira said.
“But at the same time, they follow the same structure as other separatist communities or sects.”
