ASEAN to restrict Al Arqam<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei agreed
\nyesterday at Malaysia's prodding to bar Ashaari Muhammad, leader
\nof a Malaysian-based Islamic sect, from entering their shores but
\nmade no common stand to ban the group, officials said.<\/p>\n
Ashaari -- whose Al Arqam movement has triggered security
\nconcerns in Southeast Asia -- was declared persona non grata
\nbecause his presence \"could threaten the peace and cause unrest,\"
\naccording to a six-page communique issued after talks among
\nministers in charge of Islamic affairs of the four countries.<\/p>\n
The talks, also attended by senior Islamic officials of
\nThailand and the Philippines, were held in Malaysia's northern
\nLangkawi island resort as an annual affair under the auspices of
\nthe ASEAN.<\/p>\n
\"The ministers also expressed their concern over the negative
\neffects of the deviationist teachings (of Al Arqam) on the unity
\nand solidarity of the ummah (Moslem world),\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
However, the ministers could not achieve a consensus on
\nimposing a blanket ban on Al Arqam in the four countries because
\nof \"differing laws and procedures governing religious freedom,\"
\nsaid an official, speaking on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
\"What is important is that the four ministers have already
\nagreed that Al Arqam propagates deviationist teachings and
\ncontinuous efforts would be made to monitor them so that it does
\nnot endanger public security,\" said the official.<\/p>\n
Brunei is the only country that has banned Al Arqam.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's powerful council of Islamic elders was preparing to
\nissue a fatwa (religious ruling) banning Al Arqam today,
\nofficials said, adding that they were confident it would set the
\npace for similar pronouncements in the other three countries.<\/p>\n
Al Arqam, which began as a study group among Moslem scholars
\nin Kuala Lumpur in 1968, has blossomed into a powerful and
\nwealthy missionary group with branches in 15 countries under its
\nelusive self-styled leader Ashaari Muhammad.<\/p>\n
Suicide squad<\/p>\n
The movement -- reported to have 100,000 followers and
\nsympathizers in Malaysia alone and several thousand overseas --
\ncame under close scrutiny only recently, after Kuala Lumpur
\naccused it of training a suicide squad to defend its
\ncontroversial beliefs.<\/p>\n
Al Arqam and Thailand, where Malaysia says the squad was
\npartially trained, have denied the charges.<\/p>\n
The Malaysian Islamic ulema has charged that the teachings,
\npropagated by 57-year-old Ashaari, smack of mysticism and deviate
\nfrom Islamic scriptures.<\/p>\n
The state-run Islamic center says it has video evidence of
\nAshaari claiming to have had dialogues with the Prophet Muhammad,
\na claim which Ashaari himself does not deny.<\/p>\n
Al Arqam officials in Kuala Lumpur said Ashaari had flown last
\nweek to Jordan from Thailand where he had been on a self-imposed
\nexile since 1988.<\/p>\n
\"Abuya (father of all, as Ashaari is known among his
\nfollowers) is monitoring everything which is going on in this
\npart of the world and has been keeping in close touch with us,\"
\nsaid Rodhi Daud, Al Arqam's senior liaison officer.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-to-restrict-al-arqam-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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