Sabah bans 22 deviant teachings, four more under investigation

The state government through the Sabah Fatwa Council has banned 22 deviant teachings in the state.

Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mohd Arifin Arif said this included the teachings of the Nasrul Haq group, Tuan Haji Uyut Utun, Qadiani, Tariqah Hasaniah and Tai Tujuh group.

Other teachings which have been banned are the Aliran dan Dakyah Wahabiah, Millah Abraham@Ibrahim, Hizbut Tahrir, and the Hairi Nonchi books.

"The government is constantly monitoring not just the deviant teachings, but also those whose authenticity are questionable.

"Besides the 22 deviant teachings, there are four more groups which are under observation," he said.

Mohd Arifin was speaking to reporters after a seminar on radical teachings and religious extremism here today.

Arifin said the state government was collaborating with the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains), police and other authorities to control the groups.

He said the joint effort was necessary to ensure that the true teachings of Islam were not marred by deviant teachings.

The assistant minister also urged religious speakers from outside the state who wanted to give talks here to first get an endorsement from the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) and Jheains.

"The process is even easier now through e-tauliah," he added.

He said for the good of everyone, non-local religious speakers should first understand the cultural values in Sabah before giving their talks here.

"Be mindful not to let religious values break us up because religion is about love and consensus," he said.

-- BERNAMA