Malaysian authorities probe 'yuppie' Islamic cult
AFP
January 9, 2007
January 9, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian state authorities are probing an Islamic cult targeting young professionals whose practices include taking new devotees blindfolded to training and initiation centers, reports said Tuesday.
Islamic authorities from western Selangor state said that the Gerakan Pemuda Kahfi was thought to have started three years ago and had strange and secretive practices.
"The leaders are very sleek. They dress well when approaching their potential victims," a spokesman from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, Fakrul Azam Yahya, was quoted as saying in the Star daily.
"The victims are blindfolded when taken to the movement's training centers," he said.
Fakrul Azam said that the group was targeting young Muslim professionals and executives, known as yuppies, who pay 1,000 ringgit ($284.54) to join.
He added that authorities are gathering evidence before a possible fatwa or edict against the group.
"We are especially keen to obtain a copy of their scriptures as it will allow us to scrutinize the roots of its deviant teachings," he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.
Religion is a sensitive issue in the majority Muslim nation, where Islamic authorities are always on the lookout for cults said to deviate from mainstream Islamic practice.
Islamic authorities from western Selangor state said that the Gerakan Pemuda Kahfi was thought to have started three years ago and had strange and secretive practices.
"The leaders are very sleek. They dress well when approaching their potential victims," a spokesman from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, Fakrul Azam Yahya, was quoted as saying in the Star daily.
"The victims are blindfolded when taken to the movement's training centers," he said.
Fakrul Azam said that the group was targeting young Muslim professionals and executives, known as yuppies, who pay 1,000 ringgit ($284.54) to join.
He added that authorities are gathering evidence before a possible fatwa or edict against the group.
"We are especially keen to obtain a copy of their scriptures as it will allow us to scrutinize the roots of its deviant teachings," he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.
Religion is a sensitive issue in the majority Muslim nation, where Islamic authorities are always on the lookout for cults said to deviate from mainstream Islamic practice.
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