SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department has detained 18 women for alleged involvement in a deviant religious group known as “Kumpulan Zikir Asmaul Husna” during a raid on a house in Johol, Kuala Pilah.
Its enforcement chief Ahmad Zaki Hamzah said the women, aged between 20 and 60, were listening to a religious talk by the founder of the group when the raid was conducted at 9.30am today (Feb 27).
He said several documents, books and equipment believed to be used by the group were also seized during the raid.
"Most of the followers of the group are housewives, some staying outside the state, and they are believed to have been recruited via the WhatsApp application and Telegram.
"There was an edict (fatwa) by the state Mufti Department that the teachings by the group are against the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and its founder was even summoned to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to pledge his repentance in February 2021,” he told reporters here.
He said the group is believed to have followers all over the country and is attempting to spread its teachings to Indonesia. - Bernama
