ALOR STAR: The Kedah Mufti Department will issue a fatwa on Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) teachings next month.
"We will table inputs from GISB and the police's Special Branch at the next state Fatwa Committee meeting, which may be held next month," said Kedah Mufti Datuk Syeikh Fadzil Awang.
He said this after attending a teaching accreditation presentation to Islamic teachers in Seri Mentaloon here.
The teaching accreditation was presented by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Fadzil was commenting on the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs' decision to declare GISB as deviant.
Earlier today (Nov 14), it was reported that MKI Muzakarah Committee chairman Datuk Dr Nooh Gadut said the decision to declare GISB deviant was made following its meeting in September.
Fadzil said he had summoned GISB representatives to get their side of the story after issues concerning their teachings arose.
"They said there were some deviant practices, but added that some of the allegations were unfounded.
"They agreed to be summoned (by the authorities) to pinpoint which of their practices may be wrong, and they are willing to correct them.
"However, they hope that the authorities will spare their business while investigating their religious practices.
"I have conveyed their stand to the MKI Muzakarah."
He said: "GISB shut down their learning centres (in Kedah) when issues concerning their operation went viral.
"So the issue is not as big as in other states, as they shut down their learning centres on their own."
Fadzil said the state Mufti Department was briefed by the Special Branch on GISB activities in Kedah.
He added that the state Islamic religious authorities are willing to help rehabilitate GISB members.