Bernama - Malaysian National News Agency February 7, 2011
Underage Marriages: A Holy Or Unholy Matrimony?
By Haslinda Zainal
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Siti Nur Zubaidah Hussin just turned 11 when her father forced her to marry a 41 year old man from Kelantan on February 2010.
Her father Hussin Mat Salleh was a follower of a religious sect who was convinced by the leader Shamsuddin Che Derahman, a.k.a "Sudin Ajaib" that there is nothing wrong in such union.
As the girl was clueless and too young to take the role of a wife physically and mentally, she went into a state of depression.
Siti was found hundreds of kilometres in a delirious state in Masjid Al-Ikhwan, in Batu Caves days after the husband disappeared with her.
Siti Nur Zubaidah's sad fate is certainly neither the first nor going to be the last in the country. There are also many underage girls who marry on their own will while some have no choice but to get married as they are pregnant out of wedlock.
The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) in 2005 defined underage marriage as a marriage or a union between two people with one of them or both being less than 18 years old.
DO NOT TAKE THIS PROBLEM LIGHTLY
Up to now, the number of underage marriages only represents a miniscule figure of 0.725 per cent of the total number of marriages in Malaysia. Though the figures are small, there are negative implications relating to underage marriages.
While marriage is fundamental in procreation and is encouraged by religion and society, but how does our society see underage marriages in a context of a developed society.
Thus, the Syariah Judiciary Department and the Malaysian Syariah Officers' Association dwelled into this problem at a national seminar entitled Islamic Family Laws "Underage Marriages: Proper or Not?" here recently.
The Negeri Sembilan Fatwa (edict) Council member Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakari noted that the Al-Quran, al-Sunnah and ijma' does not prohibit underage marriages.
However, he conceded that the interest of the parties involved, especially the girl had to be given due consideration.
THE GOAL OF A MARRIAGE
He quoted the views of Syeikh Abdullah al-Manie, a prominent member of the Saudi Arabia's Senior Ulama Council, that "the marriage between Prophet Muhammad and Sayidatina Aisyah should not be the excuse to justify underage marriages".
"His view appeared as a reaction on the case where a 12 year old girl was married off to a 80 year old man in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia," Dr Zulkifli said in his working paper entitled 'Underage Marriages from the Perspective of Islamic Law'.
Dr Zulkifli noted that while marriage to an underage girl is allowed, within the terms and conditions of a marriage, the girl had to be old enough to consummate the marriage.
"This is because sexual union is what consummates the marriage, thus from the customary perspective underage marriages should not be allowed except in special circumstances," he said.
So what is the minimum age for a girl and a boy to tie the knot?
Section 8, of the Islamic Family Laws Act (Federal Territories) 1984 and similar enactments at the states in Malaysia set a minimum age for marriage.
The act stipulates that no marriages can be solemnised or registered if the male is less than 18 years of age or the female is less than 16 years of age unless a Syariah judge provides his written consent in special cases.
NOT A CULTURE IN MALAYSIA
The Malaysian Institute of Islamic Understanding's (Ikim) Deputy Director General Prof Datuk Dr Zaleha Kamaruddin pointed out underage marriages also happen in other places and they are more common in certain regions.
Then if this is the case, then why the Malaysian society frowns on underage marriages?
The answer probably lies in the fact that Malaysia is an exemplary progressive Islamic state and underage marriages are seen as a step backward.
Dr Zaleha in her working paper entitled `Underage Marriages from the Legal Perspective' observed fortunately this problem is not a norm in Malaysia.
The parents instead should encourage their children to study and not marry them off when they are young.
"In line with the current global development where knowledge is a culture, we should not allow underage marriages except when it is totally unavoidable," she said.
But can we curtail underage marriages through legislation? On this question Malaysia should learn from India and Pakistan's experience where their laws to prohibit underage marriages were totally ineffective.
"Nevertheless the number of underage marriages is slowly dwindling in both nations not because of legislations but due to the efforts to encourage the fairer sex to study up to the university level," she said.
HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
Underage marriages also pose health implications on the girl especially in reproductive, sexual, emotional and mental health.
Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (HUKM) Obstetric and Gynecology Consultant Associate Prof Dr Harlina Halizah Siraj noted underage marriages leads to early pregnancy and numerous complications during the antenatal ( pregnancy), intrapartum (birth) and also post-partum (post pregnancy) stages.
"The mother and infant mortality too is high among pregnant teenagers, not only due to complications during and after pregnancy but also factors like the availability of healthcare facilities," she said when presenting the working paper entitled 'Underage Marriages from the Medical Perspective'.
Dr Harlina Halizah also pointed out those who resort to underage marriages are often ignorant of contraceptives and family planning or may even face difficulties in obtaining contraceptives.
"Other than this, a poor diet could also lead to malnutrition, and underage marriages are also linked to high rates of domestic violence that disrupts the emotional and mental health," she said.
She said teenagers who marry young have to face the realities of family life where they need to make decisions and find effective solutions, manage monetary and emotional issues, and communicate effectively.
"The vagaries of life can cause deep impact to the mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. Thus underage marriages often don't last long," she said.
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Malaysia: Al-Arqam, The Sect Implicated In A Child Abuse Scandal – Analysis
ReplyDeleteby Iman Muttaqin Yusof and Ili Shazwani Ihsan, Benar News - Eurasia Review September 14,2024
Al-Arqam, a banned Islamic sect in Malaysia, is in the spotlight again after 402 children – including some as young as 1 – were rescued from welfare homes during police raids on Sept. 11. Many of these minors are believed to have been trafficked as well as physically and sexually abused, authorities said.
At least 159 people have been arrested in connection with the case. The 20 homes where the raids occurred were linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), a company founded by al-Arqam members.
Malaysia banned the sect 30 years ago over allegations that it promoted a deviant form of Islam, the faith practiced by the Malay Muslim majority.
But what exactly is al-Arqam, and why does its shadow linger despite its ban decades ago?
What is al-Arqam?
Al-Arqam was founded in 1968 by Ashaari Muhammad as a spiritual movement focusing on self-sufficiency, discipline, and an Islamic utopia. By the 1980s, it had gained tens of thousands of followers not only in Malaysia but in neighboring Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei. The sect was banned in 1994.
At its peak, al-Arqam operated a range of businesses, from agriculture to publishing and even restaurants, amassing wealth reportedly worth millions of U.S. dollars.
“We had our own food products, owned schools and ran a few businesses,” Shamsul Mohd Noor, a former al-Arqam member, told BenarNews. “It started as a religious outreach movement, initially focused on addressing issues of Islamic theology.
“It was more centered on education and personal development. Its strength lay in promoting fardhu kifayah – collective responsibilities – within the Muslim community,” said Shamsul, who joined the group in the 1980s.
Who was al-Arqam’s founder?
The late Ashaari Muhammad was a charismatic leader who envisioned creating a self-sufficient Islamic community. In his sermons, he promoted the idea of returning to a “purer” form of Islam.
Ashaari – known among his followers as “Abuya” or “father” – had four wives and reportedly as many as 40 children, before he died of a lung infection in 2010.
Why was al-Arqam banned?
The Malaysian government officially banned al-Arqam in 1994 due to what was seen as its deviant religious teachings, messianic claims by sect leader Ashaar, and its perceived threat to national unity.
continued below
Ashaari was once arrested under the nation’s Internal Security Act.
ReplyDelete“Ashaari’s teachings were considered wrong because they contradicted fundamental Islamic principles,” Shukri Ahmad, dean of the School of Language, Civilization and Philosophy at Universiti Utara Malaysia, told BenarNews.
“For example, claiming to communicate with the Prophet [Muhammad] is a common trait among deviant movements. When a leader is seen as infallible, and everything they do is considered correct, something is clearly wrong.”
What is the link between Global Ikhwan and al-Arqam?
Despite the ban, al-Arqam’s influence persisted through new organizations, the most prominent being GISBH, the company connected by police to the welfare homes targeted in this week’s raids.
Founded by people loyal to Ashaari Muhammad’s teachings, including one of his wives, GISBH continued promoting self-reliance and economic independence, much like al-Arqam did. The company now operates businesses across 20 countries in sectors such as agriculture, retail, and education.
The raids of the welfare homes have raised concerns about the company’s ties to al-Arqam’s ideology after authorities recovered writings by Ashaari during the operations. Allegations of child abuse and poor conditions in the shelters had prompted an investigation, with 49 reports linked to GISBH between 2011 and 2024, some from former members.
GISBH has denied any connection to the shelters and the accusations of child abuse, saying the claims were an attempt to tarnish its reputation.
Now what?
Police will take DNA samples from the 402 rescued children, whom authorities say are not orphans as previously claimed, but the children of Global Ikhwan members placed in welfare homes for indoctrination.
Authorities are investigating allegations of indoctrination, and a 19-year-old preschool employee linked to GISBH has been charged with four counts of child abuse and neglect.
Malaysia’s religious authorities, including the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), continue to monitor GISBH closely. JAIS reaffirmed the 1994 fatwa that branded al-Arqam and its affiliated groups as deviant.
https://www.eurasiareview.com/14092024-malaysia-al-arqam-the-sect-implicated-in-a-child-abuse-scandal-analysis/
Malaysian authorities rescue about 400 children linked to banned Islamic sect
ReplyDeletePolice allege the youths were sexually abused, indoctrinated to follow deviant religious teachings.
by Iman Muttaqin Yusof and Ili Shazwani Ihsan, Benar News September 11, 2024
About 400 children who were allegedly forced to live in squalid conditions, where many faced punishment and sexual abuse, were rescued during a nationwide police operation Wednesday from homes linked to the banned al-Arqam sect, Malaysian officials said.
The victims ranged from 1 to 17 years old. Nearly 200 staff members, including religious teachers, were detained during the raids on 18 homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan that investigators linked to the sect.
Malaysian religious authorities have accused al-Arqam of promoting deviant Islamic teachings.
Razarudin Husain, Malaysia’s police inspector general, identified six key suspects including a female religious teacher and five males in supervisory roles, as among those detained.
“These children were abused under the pretext of religious teachings,” Razarudin told reporters in Pahang state. “From our initial investigation, it is clear they were indoctrinated from a young age and manipulated by the adults running these homes.”
He said many of the children were coerced into soliciting donations under the guise of Islamic charity.
Police have started investigations against Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH), the owner of the homes, under the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, the Child Protection Act, and the Sexual Offenses against Children Act.
“We’ve opened eight case files so far and we are working closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to prepare charges,” Razarudin said.
GISBH has been tied to the al-Arqam sect. Malaysian authorities have alleged that the sect promoted deviant Islamic teachings, including the veneration of its founder, Ashaari Muhammad, as a quasi-divine figure. Although banned in 1994, al-Arqam’s followers are believed to have continued their activities underground, often rebranding under different names.
A political science professor who has written about al-Arqam questioned the link with GISBH, which has denied the allegations.
Acting on complaints
Police launched the crackdown after receiving reports of abuse earlier this month, including allegations of sexual misconduct and severe neglect. In one report from southern district Port Dickson, a complainant detailed instances of children being forced to engage in sexual acts, police said.
continued below
Razarudin told reporters that many of the rescued children were not orphans, as previously claimed, but were the children of GISBH members who were placed in these homes as part of indoctrination efforts.
ReplyDelete“From what we’ve gathered, the modus operandi of GISBH was to exploit these children for financial gain while indoctrinating them with deviant religious teachings,” Razarudin said, calling the group’s use of religious sentiment to gain public sympathy “particularly insidious.”
Misconduct allegations have dogged GISBH for years – since 2011, over 40 complaints have been lodged against it, according to police records.
“For now, the rescued children are being housed at the Malaysian Police Training Center, where they are undergoing health screenings and documentation,” Razarudin told BenarNews.
Allegations denied
In a statement on Wednesday, GISBH said it was committed to following the law.
“These accusations are baseless, malicious, and intended to create a negative perception of GISB Holdings Sdn. Bhd.,” spokesman Mokhtar Tajuddin said in a statement. “We are fully committed to abiding by the law and supporting the government’s efforts in nation-building.”
Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar had previously warned against any activities deviating from Islamic teachings, following social media claims that GISBH was promoting deviant beliefs.
“This is a serious matter that affects the very foundation of our faith,” Mohd Na’im said in a statement last week.
“Any activities that may lead to the misguidance of Muslims must be reported immediately to the authorities.”
The Ministries of Women, Family and Community Development and Religious Affairs did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, a political science professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia who has written extensively on Al-Arqam, questioned the targeting of GISBH.
Ahmad Fauzi said that while the sect had been proven to promote deviant teachings, GISBH may not be directly linked to it.
“Global Ikhwan is not really from Darul Arqam but rather an intersection from Rufaqa, a splinter group,” Ahmad Fauzi told BenarNews, using another name for al-Arqam.
He acknowledged that while some individual members may continue to follow the old teachings, GISBH agreed in 2013 to abandon those practices as part of an agreement with the government.
“If some members are still adhering to the old ways, then it’s appropriate for the government to take action,” he said.
Nisha David in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
to see the links embedded in this article go to:
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/sect-children-09112024150819.html
My father was brainwashed by the cult,’ daughter of ex-GISBH top management says
ReplyDeleteSinar Daily September 20, 2024
She had no intention of bad-mouthing her late father but believed that the public should know what happened within the group.
SHAH ALAM – “I believe my father was a victim of brainwashing, just like other male members of the group.”
“(However), I cannot tell in detail as it is an embarrassment and personal story; I cannot tell everything (publicly). I just want to say that there has been abuse on children and women (within the group), that’s all I want to disclose,” she said in one of the videos.
the correct Islamic way, does not neglect their children, take care of their children,” she said.
Op Global was conducted following revelations of Malaysia Center for the Study of Heresy (PUKAS) of the alleged heresy activities in GISBH in August, followed by Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin who raised the issue of violence and cruelty associated with GISBH which requires investigation and intervention by the authorities.
On Sept 11, police raided 20 charity houses believed to belong to GISBH in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan and arrested 171 individuals to help investigate cases of child and religious exploitation.
Police revealed that a total of 402 individuals, 201 male and 201 female aged between one and 17 years old, were rescued in the operation.
GISBH issued a statement denying allegations that they exploit children as workers and stated that they will not compromise with activities that violate the law, especially involving children.
Since Sept 18, several GISBH members were remanded over various offences including sexually abusing children, criminal intimidation, human trafficking and sexual assault.
Today, the Perlis State Fatwa Committee declared that the beliefs and teachings in GISBH contain elements of heresy, especially inner teachings.
https://www.sinardaily.my/article/221586/focus/national/my-father-was-brainwashed-by-the-cult-daughter-of-ex-gisbh-top-management-says
Malaysia arrests hundreds more over child abuse claims
ReplyDeleteby Gavin Butler, BBC News October 16, 2024
Members of a Malaysian religious group accused of human trafficking and child sexual abuse continued committing crimes even after a large-scale police crackdown, according to authorities.
The Islamic Global Ikhwan Group (GISB) made international headlines in September after police rescued 402 minors suspected of being abused across 20 care homes.
Authorities arrested 171 suspects at the time, including teachers and caretakers - but hundreds more have been arrested since, as further details emerge of the group's alleged crimes.
Among those are allegations that, until 1 October, five GISB members trafficked people for the purpose of exploitation by forced labour through threats.
Two of the accused were managers of a GISB-owned resort in the southern state of Johor. They were charged on Sunday with four counts of human trafficking involving three women and a man aged between 30 and 57. The third, a worker at the same resort, was charged with two counts of sexually abusing a 16-year-old.
At least two other suspects in the incident, which took place between August 2023 and 1 October 2024, are still at large.
Hundreds of other victims, aged between one and 17, are said to have endured various forms of abuse at care homes linked to GISB, with some allegedly sodomised by their guardians and forced to perform sexual acts on other children, according to police.
In a press conference on Monday, lawyers representing GISB denied allegations of illegal business activities and organised crime, asking for a "fair investigation" as police investigations continue.
However, its CEO, Nasiruddin Mohd Ali, had earlier admitted there were "one or two cases of sodomy" at the care homes.
"Indeed, there were one or two cases of sodomy, but why lump them (the cases) all together?" Nasiruddin said in a video posted to the company's Facebook page.
GISB has hundreds of businesses across 20 countries, operating across sectors including hospitality, food and education. It has also been linked to Al-Arqam, a religious sect that was banned by the Malaysian government in 1994 due to concerns about deviant Islamic teachings.
Khaulah Ashaari, the daughter of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad, is a member of GISB, and has denied that the group still follows her late father's teachings.
The lower house of Malaysia’s parliament on Tuesday held a special motion discussing issues relating to GISB, where government ministers flagged a number of findings made since the children were rescued from the care homes last month.
The Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, told the hearing that some children from as young as two years old were separated from their families and instructed to work under the pretence of "practical training".
He also said they were occasionally forced to perform hundreds of squats as punishment for "disciplinary breaches".
"If they did any wrongdoings, for something as simple as not queuing up properly, they would be punished with not 100 but 500 ketuk ketampi (squats)," Saifuddin said, according to a report by local outlet The Star.
"According to assessments by psychologists – either through the police’s D11 unit or the Welfare Department – these children missed their parents," he added. "Some don’t even know them."
To date, the police operation against GISB has resulted in 415 arrests and the rescue of 625 children, according to Saifuddin.
The Malaysian authorities have also expanded their investigations into GISB internationally, seeking the assistance of Interpol.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ln818lqwdo