Two Family Members Arrested By JAIS Over Viral Non-Islamic Ritual Involvement

SHAH ALAM, Oct 13 – A 21-year-old man and his 52-year-old mother were arrested in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to assist in ongoing investigations into the alleged participation of a Muslim in a non-Islamic ritual that contravenes Islamic law.

Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) Director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad confirmed that enforcement officers executed the arrests around noon under a reciprocal arrest warrant issued by the Shah Alam Syariah Lower Court, carried out in collaboration with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI).

The suspects arrived at the JAIS Enforcement Management Division in Bangunan Sultan Idris Shah, Shah Alam, at 3:50 PM in an enforcement vehicle to undergo further questioning.

The arrests follow widespread public interest after video footage showing a Muslim individual participating in non-Islamic religious rituals went viral across social media platforms, prompting responses from religious enforcement authorities and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

Legal Provisions, Investigation Expansion, and Public Advisory

JAIS outlined the statutory provisions, planned witness interviews, and public guidelines surrounding the active case:

• Syariah Offence Provisions: The two suspects are being investigated by JAIS enforcement officers under Sections 4 and 10 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Selangor) Enactment 1995.
• Additional Witnesses Summoned: Following intelligence gathered by enforcement teams, JAIS expects to call at least 14 additional individuals to assist with ongoing investigative procedures.
• Jurisdictional Commitment: Mohd Shahzihan emphasized that JAIS treats religious infractions with utmost seriousness and will ensure legal measures are carried out strictly within its statutory jurisdiction and established facts.
• Public Speculation Warning: Authorities urged members of the public to refrain from speculating or circulating unverified content online, advising all parties to allow religious enforcement authorities sufficient space to complete the investigation.

JAIS will submit its completed investigation findings to the Syariah Prosecution Department for further legal action upon concluding witness statements.

–NMT