SHAH ALAM: The daughter of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad has denied that Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) continues to follow the teachings of the deviant sect.
Khaulah Ashaari said the organisation had been consistent in stressing to members not to practice any teachings that went against Islamic teaching.
"We have also participated in courses organised by state religious departments and participated in the process of 'istitabah' (repentance) by the Selangor Mufti Department.
"GISB is committed not to practice teachings taught during the time of Al-Arqam," she said, adding that the group also no longer practised the banned 'Aurad Muhammadiah'.
"Aurad Muhammadiah is a 'wirid' (chants and prayers) practised by the Al-Arqam community, which was banned at both state and national levels.
She said GISB chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali continuously reminded all members to focus on their business activities.
Khaulah, 38, also denied claims that GISB members still worshipped her late father Ashaari, also known as Abuya, as seen in videos circulating online.
"That is an old video, around the year 2011. That happened before our 500-hour course (with the state religious department), but the footage had resurfaced.
"Meanwhile, Khaulah said the syllabus taught in religious schools under GISB was based on guidelines from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
"To my knowledge, the schools follow Jais syllabus and we are being monitored by them," she added.
She also said she would not comment on allegations of child exploitation within the group, as the matter was still being investigated.
"We will give good cooperation to the authorities and the police. Even our CEO Nasiruddin has said we were ready to cooperate if we were being investigated."
The organisation had been at the centre of police investigations since Sept 11, when raids on 20 of its allegedly operated welfare homes led to the rescue of over 400 children.
Further medical screenings revealed that many of these children suffered physical and emotional abuse, with 13 reportedly being sodomised.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, GISB had denied any involvement in child exploitation or sexual abuse.