The Muis Fatwa Committee, chaired by Mufti Syed Isa Semait, found that Mr Rahman's teachings were a continuation of those which was declared deviant in 1974 and again in 2001. -- PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN
THE Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has declared deviant the teachings of a group of Singapore Muslims who fled town in January because their leader told them an earthquake would occur here.
It reached this decision after meeting the group's leader, Mr Rahman Kamari, who claimed he was the representative of a 'grand teacher' who communicated only with him. 'The claims of receiving 'inspiration' by the leader of the group are not genuine,' said Muis in a sermon on Friday.
The message was delivered by imams (religious leaders) at 70 mosques across Singapore. More than 150,000 Muslims attend these weekly Friday prayer sessions.
In a related fatwa, or religious ruling, the Muis Fatwa Committee said it learnt of the group, Madrasah Faiz al-Baqarah, from members of the public. A report in Malay-language daily Berita Harian in February said over 30 families left Singapore after receiving text messages warning of an imminent earthquake.
The Muis Fatwa Committee, chaired by Mufti Syed Isa Semait, met Mr Rahman on March 11. It found that he studied with the late Mr Hassan Jonit for 40 years. Mr Hassan, who died in 2004, led the group Roh Mutmainnah, which was declared deviant in 1974 and again in 2001. Mr Rahman's teachings are a continuation of those of the earlier group.
Mr Rahman also told the committee the 'voice' of the 'grand teacher' told him that on Jan 2 this year, an earthquake would take place in parts of Singapore, and ordered him and his representatives to leave Singapore. Mr Rahman and a few others left for Gelang Patah in Johor. The committee advised Mr Rahman and his followers to stop conducting classes, repent and revert to the true teachings and beliefs of Islam.
