KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) told Muslims to heed the gravity of child abuse and sexual crime allegations against GISB Holdings (GISBH) in today's Friday prayer sermon.
The sermon, shared across mosques statewide, said that Muslims were "shocked" by recent media reports on police investigations into GISBH's alleged crimes.
"Various reports cited serious criminal offences suspected to have been committed by GISBH, such as physical abuse of students, child exploitation, forced labour, and sexual crimes including sodomy at welfare homes and Islamic schools managed by GISBH," the sermon read, questioning, "Why are these things happening? What are their actual objectives?"
Jais also highlighted the alleged offences against Islamic aqeedah (faith) committed at GISBH premises, saying that these acts tarnish the sanctity of Islam and could invalidate a Muslim's aqeedah and shahaadah (testimony of faith).
The sermon expressed sorrow over reports that many GISBH-run welfare homes under investigation had operated for years in states, including Selangor, without proper registration.
"Why are they not registered?" it questioned.
Ending with a reminder, Jais told Muslims to uphold Islamic principles in raising and educating children, adding that this responsibility safeguards religion, life, intellect, property, and lineage.
It called on all parties, including GISBH, to fully understand Islam's teachings on maqaasid shariah and children's rights.
On Sept 11, police raided 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan linked to GISBH, rescuing 402 children and teenagers aged between 1 and 17.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that health screenings on 392 rescued children showed signs of physical and emotional abuse, with suspicions of forced labour.
GISBH has denied the allegations.
The group has also been declared "deviant and unIslamic" by the Perlis Fatwa Committee.
Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said that the fatwa was issued after the committee received compelling evidence.
Yesterday, Jais received police cooperation to investigate 612 individuals linked to GISBH under the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Selangor) 1995.