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Al-Arqam promises members super power
Nov. 28, 2006
Lydia Gomez, Sim Bak Heng, Eileen Ng and V. Shankar Ganesh
www.nst.com.my
More articles on this topic: Al-ArqamKUALA LUMPUR: Members of the revived Al-Arqam movement were led to believe that they could possess powers that would bring down aeroplanes by simply pointing at them.
They were also told that they could only fight the Jews effectively if they were members of this sect.
These “teachings” at a shoplot in Shah Alam were recorded by undercover officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) who infiltrated this group several months ago.
The undercover officers had mingled with the members and attended sermons at their regular meetings which were usually attended by about 100 members.
The officers reported that the members were made up of families who came from Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and as far as Sabah.
They were said to be educated, drove posh cars and also spoke fluent English.
The sect’s ultimate goal was to reunite the Al-Arqam movement which was banned in 1994. They wanted to recruit more members and spread their interpretation of Islam.
Jais got wind of this sect and sent several undercover officers to their meetings. The officers spent three consecutive days with the group last week.
They realised that the teachings were similar to Al-Arqam’s.
The undercover officers also learnt that new recruits were taken to Nilai to receive “blessings” from Ashaari Muhammad, the former leader of the sect.
The whereabouts of Ashaari, also known as Abuya to his followers, are still unclear.
Jais officials, however, believe he had an emergency meeting with his followers on Sunday night, the day after the movement’s centre in Shah Alam was raided.
Jais public relations officer Fakrul Azam Yahya said for the past three years, the sect used a different name to recruit members. The sect is now called Zikir Agung.
“Most of the leaders and followers are ex-members of Al-Arqam from 10 years ago. Even their chants and prayers are similar to what was used then,” Fakrul said.
Excerpts from their prayers and chants were released by Jais in a statement yesterday, with several of them focusing on praises for Abuya and his well-being.
One of the prayers was: Ahli yang berjuang dalam perjuangan ini akan mendapat power daripada Allah seperti mana yang diberikan kepada Rasulullah. Kemuncak kematangan Karomah atau power inilah apabila tunjuk kapal terbang dengan jari dan niat jatuh, maka jatuhlah.
(Those who fight in this battle will receive the same power bestowed upon the Prophet by Allah. The pinnacle of this miracle is when you point a finger towards an aeroplane intending it to fall, and it will fall.)
Other prayer excerpts meant for initiation include: Jika kita menjadi pengikut Fata At-Tamimi, mengamalkan tarikat ini, karomah Imam Mahdi akan mengalir pada setiap orang, barulah boleh menentang Yahudi dan Nasrani. Jika tidak, semua akan menjadi pengikut Dajjal.
(If we become followers of Fata At-Tamimi, practicing this sect, the miracles of Imam Mahdi will flow within everyone, only then we can battle the Jews and Nasrani. Otherwise everyone will become followers of Dajjal or the beast.)
Meanwhile, the four “sheikhs” behind the revival of the banned movement are expected to be charged under Syariah this week.
The four businessmen in their 40s were released after Saturday’s raid, but were re-called for questioning yesterday.
Yesterday, Rufaqa Corporation Sdn Bhd, a multinational company in which Ashaari owns a 78 per cent stake and is executive chairman, denied any involvement in the revival of Al-Arqam.
Selangor wants ‘fatwa’ to ban new group
SHAH ALAM: The revived Al-Arqam group is deemed more dangerous than the original movement, which was banned.
State executive councillor for religious affairs Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil said an edict (fatwa) banning them may be issued by the National Fatwa Council.
He said an edict was needed as the teachings of this group were slightly different from Al-Arqam’s. The fatwa on Al-Arqam cannot be used against the new group.
“However, it is the same people involved. If necessary, we will propose that the Internal Security Act be used against those involved with this group.”
The Al-Arqam movement was declared illegal by the National Fatwa Council in August 1994 after the group’s teachings and beliefs were found to be against Islam. At its height, the movement had 10,000 members.
Its leader, Ashaari Muhammad, was held under the ISA on Sept 2, 1994 and on June 9, 1996. He had vowed never to revive the group.
In 1997, Rufaqa Corporation Sdn Bhd was set up with Ashaari owning a 78 per cent stake. He is also its executive chairman.
Rufaqa is a multinational company with investments in Southeast Asia, Europe, West Asia and Australia. As of last year, Rufaqa had an authorised capital of RM5 million and a paid-up capital of RM425,000.
The company owns businesses in the retail, health care, engineering, technology and multimedia sectors.
Abdul Rahman said there were five companies registered under the Rufaqa name: Rufaqa Corporation Sdn Bhd, Rufaqa Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Rufaqa Selatan Sdn Bhd, Rufaqa Technology Sdn Bhd and Rufaqa Ternak Sdn Bhd.
Records showed that there were also 80 premises registered under Rufaqa.
He said reports would be sent to the police and the Internal Security Ministry soon for action.
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