Over 2,000 ex-GISBH members undergo rehab programme
Children associated with GISBH were put into a faith rehabilitation programme from September to December last year.
SHAH ALAM : A total of 2,474 former members of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd are undergoing a rehabilitation initiative run by the Selangor Islamic religious council.
The participants comprise 1,064 adults and 1,410 children, the council said. The programme began on Feb 15 and will continue until August.
The Insan Rabbani Programme is among rehabilitation efforts of the council to restore the faith (akidah) of former members of GISBH, which has been described as propagating 'deviant' Islamic teachings.
The state religious body had also implemented a rehabilitation programme for children associated with GISBH from September to December last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
an hour ago
- Sinar Daily
Qurban, a beautiful reminder to give from the heart and reflect on what truly matters
EVERY year, as Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, the air fills with the sounds of prayers, the scent of sacrificial meat, and a growing sense of tradition. But behind the bustle of buying cattle and coordinating distribution lies something far deeper, a timeless message of sacrifice, humility, and shared humanity. It's easy to get caught up in the logistics: How much for one portion? Goat or cow? Local or overseas? Yet, as Islamic law expert Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim reminds, the core of qurban is not about ritual alone, it's about intent. 'It is also the sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). We must constantly remind our families that when we offer a portion of a goat or cow, it is to draw ourselves closer to Allah,' he says. 'While the adat (custom) may follow second, the priority is to recognise it as a sunnah. The family tradition of never missing Qurban is noble, but what's more important is to remember that it originates from the sunnah.' A REFLECTION For many, the act of sacrificing an animal feels like a ceremonial duty, a yearly checkbox. But Izhar points to something more powerful: empathy. 'This annual practice should remind and encourage us to constantly engage in self-reflection and humility. From Qurban, we are taught gratitude, to recognise that what we have is already the best, especially compared to others who might only eat meat once a year during this occasion," he said. For those who feast without thinking, it's a sobering reminder: meat, which many enjoy regularly, remains a rare luxury for others. Qurban is a moment to pause, give thanks, and give back. A TEST OF EGO AND SINCERITY He also highlighted a growing concern, which is performative piety. In an age where social media announcements and donation receipts can be flaunted like badges of honour, even acts of worship risk being reduced to status symbols. 'This act of worship reminds us that everything we do should be solely for the sake of gaining Allah's approval. "Qurban should be devoid of the intention to impress others, such as boasting that we've sacrificed a whole cow or five animals in our name, which does happen in some cases. "By reminding ourselves that our actions must never be for people, but for Allah, we help ourselves avoid this," he said. That sense of humility, he says, is central to the entire tradition. And it's a humility that should extend beyond individuals, even to the way the community collectively performs and manages the practice. GO BIG, GIVE BEST There's also the issue of quality. According to Izhar, choosing the weakest or cheapest animal just to 'tick the box" misses the point entirely. 'Islam teaches us that when we give food to others, we must offer the best. The same applies when spending in the way of Allah and giving in charity. Don't go for the cheapest or lowest quality animals just to save costs,' he said. And while it's become increasingly popular to outsource qurban to other countries due to cost, he cautions that there is virtue in thinking local first. 'The poor we distribute to should be Muslims within Malaysia. "Making our local friends, neighbours, and community members happy takes precedence over sending food abroad, where others have their own governments and wealth. "Prioritise the needy around us such as our village, our town, our state, and neighbouring states. Eventually, the whole country benefits. 'There are poor people here too. Our goal is to bring joy to those in need, not to save money. This perception needs to be corrected so that we are confident our ibadah will be accepted by Allah," he said. WHEN CONVENIENCE MEETS CONVICTION In today's digital-first world, online qurban services have become increasingly convenient. Click a few buttons and a sacrifice is performed in your name. But is ease coming at the cost of awareness? 'The system of purchasing qurban meat and animal selection online is one of today's conveniences, using modern technology for buying and financial transactions,' Izhar acknowledged. But he stressed that true engagement requires more than a digital footprint. 'The sacrifice and distribution must be tangible, you can't rely on the digital realm because you don't know whether the meat will truly reach the intended recipient. "We must ensure the meat is delivered to the rightful recipients: the poor, the neighbours, the family and only lastly, for ourselves," he said. This entire process must be observed physically and with full awareness of the religious rulings on qurban meat distribution. DISTRIBUTE WITH DIGNITY Even the way we distribute meat matters. Izhar cautions against practices that prioritise the privileged, giving the best cuts to the wealthy while handing off leftovers to the needy. 'That is not right. This practice teaches justice, patience, and empathy,' he said. 'It educates us about effective and ethical management (husnul tadbir) in religious obligations. It trains both our spiritual and physical selves to become better people and responsible stewards (khalifah) in realising the purpose of Qurban in the best possible way.'
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Search continues for couple in Tanjung Harapan boat tragedy
Three people drowned after the boat capsized some 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan, Klang, on Friday afternoon. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The search and rescue operation for a couple whose boat capsized in the waters off Tanjung Harapan, Klang, is still going on, with efforts now focused on refloating the overturned vessel. Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) enforcement and excise unit operations officer Syafiq Sazali said part of the boat was successfully refloated at 2.20pm, and they had started to pump out the water, reported Berita Harian. It was reported that three people, including a three-year-old child, had drowned in the incident yesterday afternoon, with a married couple missing. Syafiq said the operation to raise the overturned boat was complex as it required divers to attach ropes underneath the boat They also had to take into account the sea current and underwater visibility. 'The rising tide helped somewhat because the boat still had some buoyancy, which made it easier to attach the ropes. During low tide, the boat would be more stuck to the seabed,' he said at a press conference. He said the team successfully lifted the rear of the boat using a crane and was waiting for divers to secure ropes underneath the bow before connecting it to the crane to lift the front section. Once the entire boat is refloated, water will be pumped out of it and the interior will be inspected to ensure there are no victims trapped inside. 'Surface search efforts are also ongoing with the help of more than four assets from involved agencies and several boats from the Royal Selangor Yacht Club,' he said. Selangor maritime department director Muhaimin Salleh said the boat was carrying six people, with only one survivor confirmed so far. The initial investigation suggested the boat lost control before capsizing about 0.3 nautical miles west of Tanjung Harapan. The missing couple has been identified as Gan Hon Tat, 32, and his wife, Careen Man, 29, both from Klang Utama. Those who died were the couple's son, Darren, and two others identified as Cheu Son Hin, 50, and Fong Yong Sen, 29. All three were found inside the boat. The sole survivor has been identified as Chang Yan Qin, 17. Muhaimin said the missing couple was believed to be test-driving the boat after recent repairs.
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Home away from home: International students mark Aidiladha with warmth in Malaysia, grateful for acceptance and unity
JOHOR BAHRU, June 7 — As Muslims across Malaysia celebrate Aidiladha today, many international students are observing the meaningful occasion far from home, yet finding warmth, connection, and a sense of belonging in what they now consider their second home. For students like Muhammad Habibullah from Nigeria, who is currently studying at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), this year marks his third Aidiladha celebration in Malaysia. He said the warmth and acceptance he has received from Malaysians have helped ease the homesickness. 'Even though we miss our families back home, Malaysia offers a wonderful atmosphere, it feels like we're celebrating with a bigger family, filled with diverse experiences. 'Malaysia is not just a second home, it has truly become home for me,' said the 37-year-old, who is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Electrical Engineering, when met by Bernama today. For Mohammed Raza Asfak Chidimar, 25, from Gujarat, India, who is pursuing a Master of Science (Data Science) at UTM, celebrating Aidiladha in Malaysia has been a heartwarming experience despite being away from his parents. 'People here are very welcoming, especially at UTM. The university community makes a genuine effort to treat international students fairly and with kindness,' he said. 'Malaysia truly feels like a second home. While the culture is slightly different, the essence of Aidiladha — the values of faith, sacrifice, and unity — remains the same,' he said. Local student Izham Syafarin Akhir Ruddin, 21, from Perak, was also unable to return home for Aidiladha this year due to academic commitments and looming assignment deadlines. 'This is my first time celebrating Aidiladha without my family. Honestly, I don't feel alone at UTM because the university always makes sure students are included and celebrated during festive occasions,' said the Bachelor of Psychology and Human Resource Development student. Earlier, more than 600 students at UTM received food donations in conjunction with Aidiladha, courtesy of the Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor (YRZSNJ). YRZSNJ chief executive officer Hishamuddin Abdul Rahim said the contribution was a personal gift from Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia and Chancellor of UTM. 'This gesture is part of a tradition observed during both Aidilfitri and Aidiladha, where Her Majesty graciously distributes food to students. It helps ease their homesickness and allows them to celebrate the festival joyfully with their friends,' he said. UTM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Ali Selamat expressed gratitude for the royal contribution, noting its significance for students unable to return home for the celebration. 'At UTM, approximately 70 per cent of our students are locals, while the rest are international. We are truly thankful to Her Majesty for the generous gift, which allows students to experience the joy of togetherness during Aidiladha,' said Ali, who is also deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International). — Bernama
