What we know so far: The social homes that forced children to sexually abuse each other

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 – Over 400 children, some as young as one year old, were rescued yesterday during police raids on welfare homes run by Global Ikhwan Group, also known as GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

The raids were prompted by 41 police reports that had been received against the company between 2011 and September 7 of this year.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that 171 people were arrested following the raids, including caretakers, religious teachers and the chairman of the centre.

“Investigations revealed that a company dealing in Muslim products was involved in human trafficking before a report was filed with the police in Shah Alam, Selangor,” Razarudin said at a press conference yesterday.

Initial investigations revealed that the children living there were not only anally abused by their carers, but that they were also taught to perform similar acts on the other children in the home.

The perpetrators also touched parts of the victim's body under the pretext of religious medical treatment, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said yesterday.

But last Saturday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police were investigating a company for its alleged involvement in a child exploitation case.

What happened after the raids?

The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

A view of the entrance of Baitul Mahabbah Care Centre Seremban 2, September 11, 2024. – Bernama Image

What is the Global Ikhwan Group?

Global Ikhwan markets itself as a Bumiputera Muslim-run company and has assets worth RM325 million worldwide and owns 415 offices in 20 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Australasia, the news site said. The Malaysian Reserve reported last month.

The private company generates an annual turnover of RM 187 million, putting it on a par with local, listed companies.

Founded in 2010, the group traces its origins to the Arqam Group, the business arm of the dissident religious movement Al-Arqam, which was banned by the National Fatwa Council in 1994.

Global Ikhwan currently employs a total of 5,346 people in its 25 subsidiaries. The Malaysian Reserve.

The group owns a desert oasis in Saudi Arabia and restaurants in major cities such as London, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai and Mecca.

The company also owns properties in Turkey, a hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and a 120-acre (48.56 ha) estate in Perth, Australia.

What is the Arqam Group?

The Arqam Group was the business wing of Al-Arqam, a breakaway Islamic sect founded by its spiritual leader Ashaari Muhammad.

The Arqam Group was renamed Rufaqa Corp. Shortly before Ashaari's death, it was renamed Global Ikhwan, with the registered name GISB Holdings.

The company was founded on Islamic business principles, focused on halal products and expanded internationally with its factories and grocery stores.

Al-Arqam began in 1968 in Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, under the name “White House” (White House) because the study group met in a white-painted house. In the first two years of its existence, it had already faced opposition and was accused of spreading deviant Islamic teachings.

The group also joined the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Ashaari was also offered the post of president, which he however declined.

Ashaari established a village in Kampung Sungai Penchala, Kuala Lumpur, which was equipped with a mosque, lecture hall, dormitories, offices, school, houses and shops. It also published printed materials to spread its teachings.

But in 1986, the public was shocked by Ashaari’s book Aurad It claimed that Muhammad and the four caliphs could be found physically and consciously in the real world.

The Malaysian Ministry of Islamic Development (Jakim) claimed that the book was misleading and could endanger the faith of Malaysian Muslims. The book was banned by the National Fatwa Committee in 1998.

Ashaari also made indirect suggestions that he was the direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and urged his followers to address him as Syeikh Abuya Iman Ashaari Muhammad At-Tamini. He was also reported to have claimed that he had met the Prophet.

Ashaari was once imprisoned for two years under the Internal Security Act of 1960 and died in 2010.