Selangor declares GISB promotes deviant teachings

Selangor has become the latest state to declare Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) as an entity that promotes deviant teachings contrary to Islamic teachings.

(NST) – The Royal Selangor Office, in a posting on its Facebook page today, said Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has consented to the decision made by the Selangor Fatwa Committee on the beliefs, teachings, practices and activities conducted by GISB and its networks.

The decision made by the committee during its special meeting on Sept 30 was presented to the Sultan of Selangor by Selangor Mufti Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Anhar Opir at Istana Bukit Kayangan in Shah Alam today.

“The Selangor State Fatwa Committee is convinced and confident that the leaders, followers, workers, or members of GISB and its networks have been, and continue to practice, the Aurad Muhammadiah brought by the Darul Arqam group, that was banned through a gazette published on Feb 4, 1993.

“The beliefs, teachings, practices, or activities of GISB and its networks contain elements that deviate from teachings of al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah in terms of both akidah and syariat.

“Any variation, form, or branch of any new belief, teaching, practice, or activity that contains similarities to all or part of the elements of these beliefs, teachings, practices, or activities is considered deviant and contrary to the true teachings of Islam according to al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah.”

It was previously reported that the decision made during the Selangor Fatwa Committee’s special meeting on the activities of GISB would be presented to the Sultan of Selangor today.

State Islamic Affairs committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah had previously said the decision would be brought for the Sultan’s approval before it is issued and gazetted as a fatwa.

Anhar had previously said that the Selangor State Fatwa Committee presented all its findings on the group’s activities on Sept 30.

Apart from that meeting, the committee also examined and evaluated all the evidence received from the police and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department as well as statements from individuals linked to the entity.

Sultan Sharafuddin recently reiterated his disappointment over the abuse and neglect of children linked to GISB.

Through a post on the Facebook of the Royal Selangor Office, His Royal Highness said it shows that GISB does not understand that children have rights that must be respected and treated with respect.

His Majesty also urged the Selangor State Fatwa Committee to examine and decide whether GISB’s practices deviate from or contradict true Islamic teachings.