Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) director Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim -Pix by ILI AQILAH
IPOH: Heretical cults exist in Perak but are under control, says the state Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk).
Its director Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim said the department always worked with agencies such as the police to contain the spread of cult teachings.
“It is hard to pinpoint which districts have the most (incidences) of cult teachings because... they come and go.
“There are those that come from outside Perak. It puzzles us why some people fall for their teachings," he said after the closing ceremony of Muzakarah Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah at the Casuarina Convention Centre at Meru Raya here on Thursday (Oct 12).
“We are working alongside the police Special Branch. We often meet and update each other in case there are new cult teachings (detected) in the state," he added.
During the opening of the Muzakarah (conference) on Wednesday (Oct 11), Sultan Nazrin had said threats against the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaa (ASWJ), those faithful to the Quran and Sunnah, were being made openly.
Sultan Nazrin said these threats were made by the enemies of Islam and covertly through certain movements and individuals who present themselves as scholars, ustaz and teachers but bring deviant teachings and interpretations that deviate from true Islam.
Harith Fadzillah said to ensure the beliefs of the ASWJ are protected, preserved, understood and loved, as decreed by the Perak Ruler, the department would make some adjustments in its curriculum for mosques and surau in Perak.
“We will make the necessary changes to ensure that it will remain in line with the correct teaching of Islam.
“From the enforcement aspect, we will continue to (stay alert for) any cult teachings in mosques or surau,” he said.
On July 25, the Perak fatwa committee declared the teachings of the "Si Hulk" cult, founded by Suhaini Mohamad, as deviant.
According to state mufti Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh, the teaching misinterpreted the Quran and went against Islamic belief, Syariah and morals.
