SHAH ALAM: More than 40 deviant groups in Selangor are currently being monitored by the religious authorities.
Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the council were also conducting enforcement on the groups to weed out deviant teachings.
He said the authories faced significant challenges in handling these groups, as their deviant teachings encompass a wide range of beliefs.
"Our dakwah division needs to meticulously plan how to correct or rehabilitate them, as their beliefs are deeply-rooted, particularly concerning Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) which is linked to the Muhammadiah teaching.
"It is not easy because they have many followers. Now they no longer wear their uniforms, so we can't easily identify them. According to the fatwa, they must repent.
"We are obligated to rehabilitate all of them and bring them back to the true teachings of Islam. This rehabilitation process requires cooperation from both sides. It cannot be one-sided thing," he said when asked about deviant groups in Selangor apart from GISB.
Aziz said this after opening a programme for Accredited Religious Teachers in Selangorat the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque.
In his speech, he said preachers, especially those accredited to teach in Selangor, need to stay informed on issues surrounding GISB, including communicating the actions taken by the authorities in addressing the matter.
He said preachers are expected to assist Mais and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) in disseminating knowledge based on the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
"The statements issued by Mais and Jais are in line with the firm actions taken against GISB followers, as decreed by the sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
"It is not just a matter of pointing fingers at Mais and Jais for the necessary actions.
"Currently, Mais and Jais are working diligently with related agencies to rehabilitate children and followers of GISB who have been apprehended by the authorities."
He also said that to date, Mais has certified 5,700 Selangor Accredited Preachers or PBNS.
"They serve in the front lines and must respond to issues concerning the interests of Islam to prevent any polemic within the community," he said.