ALOR STAR: The Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheaik) detained 21 people during a raid on the house of a suspected Shia leader in Pendang near here on Tuesday (Oct 15).
Jheaik religious enforcement chief Zainul Mukhtar Abdullah Sirajuddin said acting on a tip-off, the department, together with the police, raided the house at 9.50pm during the joint operation.
"Jheaik received information that Shia followers were planning to hold a gathering to commemorate the birth of the 11th Shia Imam, Imam Hasan Al-Askari, at the house of a man, who is alleged to be the leader of the Shia community in Kedah, located at Kampung Alor Berala Pendang.
"Following an inspection, Jheaik enforcement officers arrested 21 individuals, consisting of six men, nine women, and six children.
"The team has also seized books and items associated with the Shia teachings," he said in a statement.
Zainul said all of them were taken to the Pendang District Religious Office for further investigation under Sections 9 and 12 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment (Kedah Darul Aman) 2014 for insulting or defying religious authorities and for publications contrary to Islamic Law.
Kedah government had, on June 15, 2014, gazetted the teachings and beliefs of Shia as being in conflict and deviant from the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, which forms the core belief of the Muslim community, particularly in the state.
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