Cover image via Twitter
The police have arrested eight individuals for holding placards fighting for LGBTQ+ rights in front of a mall in Kuala Lumpur
The group, consisting of men aged between 18 and 56, was detained by the police on the day of their gathering, last Saturday, 29 July, reported New Straits Times.
They are said to be followers of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. According to its website, it says it is a registered "501c3 non-profit organisation", one of 32 types of non-profit organisations in the US.
Established in 1993, Amnesty International reported that it follows the teachings of Imam Mahdi and believes in Imam Ahmed al-Hassan as its divine guide.
Image via Twitter
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the group was holding placards that read "Only God can judge", "Being gay is not a crime", and "Down down, Syariah Court" at the location
"Investigations found that all of them were followers of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, who believe that punishment for humans can only be imposed by God. They have been followers for two years.
"Investigations are under Section 186 of the Penal Code (for obstructing public servants in discharge of their duties), Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 (for insulting behaviour), and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (for failure to inform police ahead of the assembly).
"Further investigations found that one of them was arrested two weeks ago for distributing flyers of their teachings at Putrajaya Mosque," Shuhaily said yesterday, 31 July.
A video of their protest went viral over the weekend. Other than the placards, they were also holding a banner of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.
Image via Twitter
The group was released on bail after being remanded for a day
When reporters asked the city police chief whether the group was a cult, he said it depends whether the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) banned their teachings.
"JAWI has opened investigation papers on this to take a closer look in the context of the religion, among other things," he said.
After the incident went viral, many netizens voiced their suspicion that the men were not part of the LGBTQ+ community
One of the reasons for this was because the group was not wearing any rainbow-coloured attire or carrying a rainbow flag, a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community.
Others opined that the men must have received money from a political coalition as state elections are around the corner.
Image via Twitter
However, Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has been posting about the arrest of their followers on social media over the past few days.
On Facebook, it posted a news article by The Rakyat Post, quoting a statement by its human rights outreach coordinator, Hadil El-Khouly, about the protest.
"This protest was a response by believers from Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light to the persecution of the LGBTQ+ community by the Malaysian government, which has escalated recently. We do not support the oppression of LGBTQ+ people. Our doors are open to everyone," said Hadil.
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