Shop in Bangi selling IS merchandise

Bold move: T-shirts with IS themes on display at the shop in Bangi.

BANGI: It is a nondescript shop in a busy corner in Bandar Baru Bangi, except for the “militant” merchandise that it is selling.

Filled with militant-themed flags, T-shirts and caps, the shop also sells clothes bearing the symbols of militant groups, especially the Islamic State (IS) and the Taliban.

“I am doing this for Allah and if I am doing it for Him, I shouldn’t be afraid,” said the shopkeeper, who declined to be named.

He appears to be a young Malaysian in his 20s.

The shop, which has been operating for three months, seems to be a souvenir hub as militants and their supporters would go there to equip themselves with the latest IS paraphernalia.

IS T-shirts, for example, are selling for RM59.

Some of the T-shirts were emblazoned with phrases such as “Mujahideen cyberspace” and “we declare war against the Zionists”.

Stickers with IS and Taliban logos are going for RM5 to RM10 each.

Explaining the high prices, the storekeeper, who claimed to be from Sabah, said the items were made and imported from Indonesia.

“There is a high demand for the merchandise and business is picking up since the store opened three months ago.”

“Some people are genuinely interested.

“Others asked us whether we were worried about having this business in view of the negative news of late.”

“However, I was assured by my brother that we are doing this in the name of Allah and there’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.

He said that the shop was not funded by any organisation and that it was a family business.

An online store, he said, was also available for people who are not able to come to Bangi.

He claimed that the store, which also sells other ordinary Muslim apparel, was the first of its kind in Malaysia.