PETALING JAYA: The widow of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad was detained at the KL International Airport along with nine of her followers.

It is learnt Hatijah Am was detained at about 11.40am Monday, shortly after she arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Hatijah and three of her followers was then taken to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) headquarters in Shah Alam for questioning.

The other six followers were detained at the airport and brought to the JAIS headquarters at 4pm.

Sources revealed that Hatijah and her followers were detained in Saudi Arabia for about 40 days before being deported.

JAIS director Datuk Marzuki Hussin said Hatijah, also known as Ummu Jah, and her followers were detained under Section 12C of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment, which carries a RM3,000 fine or two years imprisonment or both upon conviction.

“They were detained for allegedly spreading deviant teachings,” he said.

He added that the arrests were possible with the cooperation of the Saudi Arabian embassy following the rehabilitation programme conducted by the Saudi government on Hatijah and her followers.

“We also cooperate with various other agencies, including the police, Customs department, Immigration department, as well as the Malaysian Mission in Saudi Arabia.

“We will investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.

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