THE Negri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department yesterday detained 18 women over their alleged involvement in a deviant religious group known as Kumpulan Zikir Asmaul Husna.

Enforcement chief Ahmad Zaki Hamzah said the women, aged between 20 and 60, were listening to a religious talk by the founder of the group when the raid was conducted at 9.30am yesterday at a house in Johol, Kuala Pilah.

He said several documents, books and equipment believed to be used by the group were also seized during the raid.

“Most of the followers of the group are housewives. Some stay outside the state, and they are believed to have been recruited via WhatsApp and Telegram. 

“There was an edict by the State Mufti Department that the teachings by the group are against the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Its founder was even summoned to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia to pledge his repentance in February 2021,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said the group is believed to have followers all over the country and attempting to spread its teachings to Indonesia. – Bernama, February 28, 2023.