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Author Topic: Self-styled prophet: Ali [Certified Dishonest]  (Read 2217 times)

Offline ainat

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Self-styled prophet: Ali [Certified Dishonest]
« on: November 11, 2020, 11:32:24 AM »


Alleged sect leader in S'pore with multiple 'spiritual wives' not qualified or registered teacher, says Muis
Muis said the alleged sect leader is not qualified or registered as a religious teacher under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme.
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof | 11 Nov 2020

SINGAPORE - The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is investigating a self-styled prophet again following a Straits Times report on his activities that drew concerns from many in the Muslim community.

The council on Tuesday (Nov 10) said it was alerted to the case in 2018 and had issued a formal advisory to the man, who is not a qualified or registered religious teacher under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS), to cease his religious activities immediately.

However, the ST article titled “Self-styled prophet said to have five spiritual wives” published on Monday had raised “new and alarming claims” about his activities, the council said.

“While Muis is unable to independently verify if they indeed took place, practices such as having ‘spiritual wives’, gambling to help others, and describing oneself as a prophet are clearly deviant and a distortion to the Islamic faith.

“It is also an offence to conduct a religious school without being registered with Muis,” it added.

ST had reported that the man had proclaimed himself a prophet during his teaching sessions. He also allegedly said gambling is allowed in order to help the needy. Gambling is prohibited in Islam.

Several men also blamed the alleged sect leader for ending their marriages, saying the married man had taken their former partners as his spiritual wives.

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli noted in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday that many had expressed concern about these alleged deviant teachings, and said these new claims and allegations had to be investigated further by Muis and the relevant authorities.

“Members of the public who have information should come forward to assist this investigation.

“We should only take proper legal recourse for all infringement of our laws. Witnesses (who) will take a stand in court when required are vital,” he added.

Mr Masagos, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development, also said the Muslim community should be careful when seeking religious guidance, and check that the teacher is qualified under the ARS, a database of registered religious teachers here.

He added that if members of the community are unsure or come across questionable teachings, they should verify them with Muis.

Let us stand guard against deviant and extreme teachings of Islam. We must work together to protect our families and community against negative influences that will harm them,” he added.

In its statement, Muis noted that the Fatwa Committee – a panel of top Islamic scholars here – had interviewed the individual soon after it was alerted to the case in 2018, “as the nature of his activities in the complaints appeared to be religious”.

“He had denied any wrongdoing then and only admitted to offering spiritual healing. The committee had subsequently administered a formal advisory to him to cease such activities immediately as he was not qualified to do so,” it said.

ST’s video on the group had been watched more than 310,000 times as of 8pm yesterday. In addition, the clip has been shared about 3,700 times and currently hosts over 1,000 comments.

While some had expressed feelings of outrage, others said the alleged leader, a businessman in his 50s, and his all-female group of followers, should not be judged harshly.

The man, a former massage therapist, is said to have led the group for the last 15 years.

ST took three months to break the story, interviewing a number of former followers and scanning through reams of documents said to be notes from the teaching sessions.

On Tuesday, Muis said anyone who knows of individuals making dubious claims or propagating doubtful teachings should verify such information with Muis or the ARS Office via [email protected]

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/alleged-sect-leader-with-multiple-spiritual-wives-not-qualified-or-registered-says-muis



Offline ainat

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Re: Self-styled prophet: Ali [Certified Dishonest]
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2020, 10:52:24 PM »
Investigation into Alleged Deviant Teaching of Self-Styled Prophet

MEDIA RELEASE

27 November 2020

1. We refer to the case published by The Straits Times on 9 November 2020 (“Self-styled prophet said to have five spiritual wives”). Muis has issued a statement that it will be working with the authorities to investigate the matter, and we would like to thank members of the public who have come forward since then. We have also reached out to the ST reporter.

2. We would like to remind the community of the importance of seeking religious guidance and knowledge from credible and recognised asatizah. The Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) was set up to ensure the community has access to qualified asatizah and registered Islamic schools. ARS also has a Code of Ethics to ensure asatizah teach and behave in the manner which is expected of them, for the good of the community. Our mosques also organise religious classes such as ADiL and aLIVE, as well as talks and lectures for adults and children for those seeking religious guidance. Various religious content is also available online developed by the Asatizah Youth Network, on Salam SG TV and provided by our various mosques.

3. The community should utilise these resources, and seek guidance only from those who are qualified and registered to do so. We call on the community and families to look out for each other. They must be vigilant to the dangers of deviant teachings, and verify with Muis or the Asatizah Recognition Scheme Office if there are individuals propagating doubtful teachings.

4. As part of the ongoing investigations, Muis would like to repeat our invitation for persons:

    a. with credible evidence e.g. emails, documents, lecture notes, audio and video recordings, (particularly persons who were directly involved in the alleged group or in the religious classes), and

    b. who are willing to testify on such matters,

to come forward and make submissions to Muis by 11 December 2020 for their investigations via email at [email protected] or in person at the Singapore Islamic Hub.

5. Muis strongly urges the public to be socially responsible and not to use social media platforms to cast aspersions on individuals or share or publish their personal information, such as photographs.

6. Muis understands there are families and individuals who have been affected by the alleged group. We are reaching out to affected individuals who have approached us on the matter to render support and assistance.


MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA
 

Source: https://www.muis.gov.sg/Media/Media-Releases/27-Nov-20-2020-Investigation-into-Alleged-Deviant-Teaching-of-Self-Styled-Prophet