Penang is preparing a faith rehabilitation center for GISBH children

Penang Islamic Religious Council chairman Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the fatwa was likely to be issued this month. (Bernama photo)

PETALING JAYA: The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) will use the Darul Hidayah Complex in Tasek Gelugor as a faith rehabilitation center for children and teenagers rescued from Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) welfare homes.

MAINPP president Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the council is waiting for a fatwa from the Penang Fatwa Commission on GISBH’s practices and beliefs before starting the rehabilitation programs.

“We have already prepared the Darul Hidayah Complex as a faith rehabilitation center. But everything depends on the fatwa,” Bernama informed him.

Mohamad, who is also Penang’s deputy prime minister, said the fatwa was likely to be issued this month.

Mohamad said that since October 1, 200 children and teenagers, believed to be the children of GISBH members from Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Penang, have been housed at the Sinar Kasih Complex in Nibong Tebal.

They are between three and 19 years old.

He said a special team has been formed to monitor and care for the children, who are enrolled in an education program administered by the Penang Education Department. The children also receive psychological counseling and take classes in religious counseling, he said.

Yesterday, the Selangor government announced that a task force would review a rehabilitation program specifically for children rescued from GISBH.

In early September, police raided nursing homes in Peninsular Malaysia linked to GISBH, which is suspected of being involved in child abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, human trafficking and deviant Islamic teachings.

A total of 572 people, including children and teenagers, have been rescued. Police also arrested 359 GISBH followers, including the company’s top management.