Sky Kingdom cult founder Ayah Pin dies

The Star, Malaysia/April 25, 2016

Kuala Trengganu -- Ayah Pin, the deviant preacher and founder of the Sky Kingdom cult has passed away aged 74 at his home in Besut, Terengganu.

The cult leader, whose real name is Ariffin Mohamad, was considered "the king of the sky" by his followers.

He was partially paralysed after he suffered a stroke a few years ago.

At the height of his popularity, the self-styled prophet had four wives and 21 followers, including a police inspector and a drummer from a rock group.

Known for his giant structures of a teapot, vase, umbrella, concrete boat and a ''palace'' at his commune, Ayah Pin had claimed that God was human and his deviant teachings included not making Friday prayers compulsory.

In his sermons Ayah Pin had allegedly claimed that the Sky Kingdom had given him the power and the right to unite people of the world, irrespective of their religion.

He was declared an apostate for leaving Islam and spent 11 months in jail in 2001 for his activities.