WHEN Rahim (not his real name) was invited to join a WhatsApp chat group comprising some of the most wanted Islamic State (IS) militants, he saw nothing wrong in accepting it as he was curious about the terror network’s cause and activities.

But what he was not aware of was that he was now on the police radar and classified as a potential threat to the nation.

In 2016, the 33-year-old interior designer was arrested in a dragnet targeting his friend, Abu Khattab, and other local IS members.

Rahim was investigated for protecting terrorists and channelling funds to them but was fortunate that no charges were brought against him as no evidence was found, said police.

Instead, he was convicted and sentenced to nine months’ jail for being in possession of an IS flag in his handphone. 

In an interview with The Malaysian Insight, Rahim maintains that although he knew the people he was chatting with were IS militants, he was not caught up with their ideology.

Rahim said his interest in IS started when he read about jihad and went through books on the history of Islam and the caliphate.

“In the beginning, I wasn’t interested in IS, but it grew on me because the terror group associated itself with the caliphate,” he said.

“But I was not influenced by the ideology. Yes, I got upset over the cruelty occurring in Syria, the killing of women and children. Who would not? 

“They presented hadith with the hope that it would get me interested in joining them. I was not. I just wanted to understand the situation in Syria and what they were fighting for,” said Rahim.

Over the years, his list of IS friends included Abu Khattab, former PAS Youth information chief Lotfi Ariffin, Muhamad Wanndy Muhamad Jedi (pic, left) and former musician Akil Zainal. Lotfi died in Syria in 2014, and Wanndy was killed in a drone attack last April.

“I was in contact with Abu Khattab when he returned home from Syria. I thought he was cleared as he was able to pass through security checks in Turkey and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. But I was wrong,” said Rahim.

A chat group for the Malaysian IS terror network would share information on happenings in Syria. It was also where those seeking information about the IS cause were brainwashed.

It was in this chat group that Rahim found out about Wanndy and Lotfi. He also befriended Akil Zainal.

“There were also attempts to make me join them in Syria, but I refused to go,” he said, adding that Wanndy also tried to get funds from him to go to Syria.

“He asked for a donation, which he said was in the name of religion, but never told me specifically how much he needed.

“I had to reject his request as the money that I had was meant for the poor that I had been helping in my area.

“Giving money to him would mean I would betray the trust given to me by donors who wanted me to help the needy,” Rahim said.

A month after the request for money, Rahim saw a video on Facebook connected to Wanndy.

In the 30-second footage believed to be taken in Syria, another IS member, Malaysian Mohd Faris Anuar from Gurun, Kedah, was seen signalling to the camera.

Wanndy was believed to be the videographer.

Wanndy was said to be the mastermind behind the Movida grenade attack in Kuala Lumpur in 2016. He lambasted the local operative for failing to execute the attack smoothly.

Since the Movida attack, Malaysia has so far foiled six terror attacks. 

After nine months in prison, and after undergoing rehabilitation, Rahim, who is a father to a year-old daughter, now hopes to put everything behind him.

“I’d rather focus on my family and community.” 

Rahim is fortunate that his family and friends have his back and have been supportive since his release.

“They know I was not part of IS. I put my nose in where it should not be and my curiosity got me in trouble.”

Rahim is among 372 people arrested since 2013 for alleged involvement in IS. Sixty-six of them have since been released. – March 4, 2018.