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Johor religious council mulls monthly allowance for GISB followers during rehabilitation

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) is exploring the possibility of providing a monthly allowance to assist GISB followers during their rehabilitation.

State Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said a meeting was held yesterday to discuss the rehabilitation efforts of the followers of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), following the ongoing controversy surrounding the group.

"We have established a special taskforce committee to rehabilitate the faith of their followers under the Islamic Current Issues Action Committee," he told the New Straits Times, today.

He said the committee aimed to rehabilitate GISB followers, and discussions were held to establish the possibility of a monthly allowance during the transition period.

"There is an urgent need for the council to guide them back and ensure their welfare is protected.

"The emphasis is on repentance (tawbah) and forgiveness.

"The rehabilitation committee, in accordance with Islam, encourages one to guide back individuals who have strayed from the faith.

"Our sincere efforts are to bring them back to the right Islamic path through education, dialogue, and support, rather than punishment or exclusion," he said, adding the move was an act of compassion and religious duty.

The committee is taking an approach that is centred on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

He added the approach represents a proactive move to uphold Islamic principles while the council addressed the contemporary challenges within the community.

On Oct 2, Johor police arrested 29 individuals and rescued 30 children and teenagers from eight GISB-affiliated premises in Johor Baru, Kluang, Segamat, Kota Tinggi and Mersing.

Some 43 GISB-affiliated premises were identified statewide.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi had said the council had allocated RM20,000 for the department to cover their clothing and educational needs, while the rescued children and teenagers were placed under the care of the Welfare Department.

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