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.