Malaysian authorities launched a massive crackdown on Wednesday, raiding 20 Islamic charity homes and arresting 171 individuals, including several Islamic instructors, on suspicion of neglect, abuse, and sexual exploitation of children. The operation, which resulted in the rescue of 402 children, has shed light on the alleged dark underbelly of a prominent Islamic charity with global connections.
The charity, Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB), has been linked to a banned religious sect called Al-Arqam, which was founded in 1968 by the self-proclaimed messianic leader Ashaari Muhammad. The sect was outlawed in 1994 for promoting a “deviant” form of Islam, and its leader was arrested for posing a threat to national security.
Ashaari’s teachings emphasized the importance of a “self-sufficient” Islamic community, and he claimed to have direct communication with the Prophet Muhammad. His movement, which counted tens of thousands of followers at its peak, was known for its strict adherence to Islamic law and its emphasis on polygamy and discipline.
After Ashaari’s death in 2010, his followers established GISB, which has since grown into a global conglomerate with interests in 20 countries and assets worth $75 million. However, the company has faced criticism for promoting some of Al-Arqam’s more extreme ideas, including the “Obedient Wives’ Club,” which advocates for women to submit to their husbands.
GISB has denied allegations of wrongdoing, but reports of abuse and neglect at its charity homes date back to 2011. Former employees have come forward with claims of poor living conditions and abusive practices, which the company has consistently denied.
The raids on Wednesday targeted 20 welfare houses, two of which were registered as Islamic schools. The rescued children, aged between one and 17, were found in squalid conditions, and several individuals, including a 19-year-old girl, have been charged with child abuse.
Malaysian authorities have vowed to investigate the allegations thoroughly, but GISB has accused the police and “shadowy parties” of conspiring to defame the company. In a statement, GISB denied any involvement in the management of the raided shelters, claiming that they were not operating under the company’s policy of adhering to Islamic sharia and national laws.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised questions about the regulation of Islamic charities in Malaysia, which operates under a dual legal system that includes both secular and Islamic law. As the investigation continues, many are calling for greater transparency and accountability from organizations like GISB, which have been accused of using their charitable work as a front for more sinister activities.
