Fatwa on Rufaqa’ already issued

Associated Press/November 29, 2006

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) issued a national fatwa against the deviant teachings of the Rufaqa' movement more than a month ago.

Its director-general Datuk Mustafa Abdul Rahman said the department held a muzakarah (discussion) with the state muftis on the matter.

“In the meeting, held about six weeks ago, we decided that a national fatwa should be issued against Rufaqa’s teachings, as the organisation was trying to revive the banned al-Arqam movement,” he said here yesterday.

“It is now up to the muftis to bring the matter up to their state Islamic Affairs departments to gazette this fatwa so it can come into effect in their respective states.

“At present, I have yet to receive any information whether the state departments have gazetted it.”

Mustafa was commenting on a statement by state executive councillor Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil that the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) wanted the Government to ban the Rufaqa’ movement.

Mustafa said the department had been aware of Rufaqa’s attempts to revive the al-Arqam movement for some time now and had carried out various actions to stem its teachings.

“During the muzakarah, we discussed the various aspects of Rufaqa’s teachings. We also advised all state agencies and departments against getting involved in any of its activities,” he added.

Asked how long it would take for the state Islamic departments to gazette the national fatwa, Mustafa said this usually depended on when the state muftis could call for a meeting.

Meanwhile in Terengganu, the government said it was keeping watch on two suspected al-Arqam bases in Jalan Gong Badak and Jalan Kuala Berang.