Man, mother arrested to assist probe into non-Islamic ritual

SHAH ALAM: A man whose video went viral over his alleged involvement in a non-Islamic ritual that contravenes Islamic law was arrested with his mother in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Oct 13) to assist investigations.

Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad confirmed that the two family members were arrested around noon.

The investigation into a viral video allegedly showing a Muslim individual participating in a non-Islamic religious ritual has been referred to the relevant religious authorities, including state-level agencies. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the authorities would examine the available information and provide updates once they had gathered sufficient details. He made the statement after attending the Majlis Ilmu MADANI programme in Putrajaya.

Man, mother arrested

Zulkifli said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) would continue monitoring the issue and raising public awareness. The agencies are coordinating with state Islamic religious authorities and the Royal Malaysia Police, with any action to be taken according to the relevant legal provisions and their respective jurisdictions. The government has stressed that the matter should be assessed through an investigation rather than assumptions based solely on a circulating video.

The controversy reportedly involves a 21-year-old Malay man whose alleged participation in spiritual practices, tarot-card readings and New Age Movement beliefs was discussed in social media posts. Zulkifli said the government takes concerns about Islamic faith seriously, but any action must be grounded in facts and findings from authorised investigators. Further developments will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.

Religious authorities will investigate a viral video and determine whether further action is warranted under the law.

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Man, mother arrested