KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: In a major crackdown on a banned religious sect, Malaysian police rescued around 400 children on Wednesday from homes linked to the al-Arqam sect, where they allegedly faced punishment, sexual abuse, and indoctrination.
The children, aged between 1 and 17, were removed during raids on 18 homes across Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. Nearly 200 staff members, including religious teachers, were detained in connection with the operation.
The al-Arqam sect, banned in Malaysia since 1994 for promoting deviant Islamic teachings, is believed to have continued its activities clandestinely under different names. The current investigation focuses on Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), the owner of the homes where the children were found. Malaysian police inspector general, Razarudin Husain, announced that investigations are underway against GISBH under various laws, including the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, the Child Protection Act, and the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act.
The authorities have identified six key suspects among those detained, including a female religious teacher and five males in supervisory roles. According to Razarudin, the children were manipulated under the guise of religious education and forced into soliciting donations under the pretense of Islamic charity. The rescued children were reportedly not orphans, as previously claimed, but were children of GISBH members placed in these homes as part of the indoctrination efforts.
The operation was initiated following reports of abuse earlier this month, including allegations of severe neglect and sexual misconduct. One report from Port Dickson detailed incidents of children being coerced into sexual acts. Razarudin highlighted that GISBH exploited the children for financial gain while indoctrinating them with deviant teachings, calling their methods “particularly insidious.”
The crackdown comes amid ongoing concerns about the resurgence of al-Arqam, whose followers are suspected of operating underground despite the ban. GISBH has denied any involvement with al-Arqam, stating that the accusations are baseless and aimed at damaging their reputation. However, Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has emphasized the seriousness of any activities deviating from Islamic teachings and urged the public to report such incidents.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, a political science professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia, has questioned the direct link between GISBH and al-Arqam, suggesting that GISBH might instead be connected to Rufaqa, a splinter group. While acknowledging that some members may still adhere to the banned teachings, he supports government action if evidence confirms their continuation of deviant practices.
The rescued children are currently housed at the Malaysian Police Training Center for health screenings and documentation. As investigations proceed, authorities are working closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to prepare charges, seeking to address the longstanding issues tied to GISBH and the banned sect’s enduring influence.
