Al-Arqam, the Malaysian sect implicated in child abuse scandal – Asia & Pacific

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 claiming 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 US 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.

Ashaari was once arrested under the nation’s Internal Security Act.

A poster of Malaysian Muslim preacher Ashaari Muhammad is on display outside his office in the Rufaqa commune in Rawang, outside Kuala Lumpur, December 6, 2006. (Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad)

“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 allegations 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 charges 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.