Ulemas denounce Islamic sect in W. Java

BANDUNG: The Forum of Indonesian Ulemas (FUUI) issued on Saturday a fatwa (religious instruction) against the existence of an Islamic sect in West Java, whose activities allegedly deviated from Islamic teachings.

Speaking at a mass gathering in the Istiqomah mosque in Bandung, FUUI chairman Athian Ali contended that the activities of the religious sect occurred in the Ma'had al-Zaytun Islamic boarding school in Indramayu, West Java.

He claimed that the deeds the Islamic sect practiced were not based on the syariah (Islamic law), which, in his view, was a sin.

The religious sect, for example, allegedly allowed its members to kill outsiders and steal valuables to fund its activities. Sins of committing adultery and other crimes were allegedly resolved and forgiven through the payment of a fine.

During the gathering, Gia Apriani, one of the former members of the sect, confirmed that she was recruited by the activists of the group and brought to Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta for a bai'at (oath ceremony). -- Antara