Arqam to disband itself: Leaders

Arqam to disband itself: Leaders

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Leaders of the outlawed Islamic sect, Al Arqam, said yesterday that the messianic movement, which caused tremors of alarm throughout Southeast Asia, was disbanding.

"The Al Arqam movement no longer exists and its name can no longer be used for any purpose," Nasib Zawawi, a member of Al Arqam's council of elders, told a news conference at its main commune in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Nasib said the council of elders had made the decision, which would take immediate effect.

Their leader Ashaari Muhammad said on Saturday the sect no longer existed, the day after he and five of his followers were freed by the Malaysian authorities following nearly two months in detention.

Malaysia's highest Islamic council banned Al Arqam on Aug. 5 for deviationist teachings, including a belief in the coming of a messiah. The government outlawed it on Aug. 26, calling it a security threat.