The four 'sheikhs' arrested in connection with efforts to revive the banned Al-Arqam movement have no links to Rufaqa Corporation Sdn Bhd, said its deputy director Laila Ahmad.

The sheikhs, who are in their 40s, were among 100 people arrested by the Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) during a raid at Rufaqa's building in Shah Alam on Saturday.

It was later reported that the four were 'leaders' of the corporation.

The founder of Al-Arqam Ashaari Muhammad holds a 75 percent stake in Rufaqa while Laila is his daughter-in-law.

Met last night, Laila said she believes the four sheiks were 'posing' as Rufaqa members to tarnish the company's image.

"Some of our members saw the men speaking to another individual in a vehicle which had the words 'Selangor Government' written on it.

"Is there a possibility for our members to be in a state government vehicle?" she asked.

According to her, the four have no connections with the corporation and there is no information regarding them.

Laila also dismissed the allegation by Jais that Rufaqa is spreading the deviant teachings of Al-Arqam.

She claimed that certain quarters are deliberately trying to discredit the company which is becoming a successful business entity with interests ranging from holiday resorts to restaurants.

Purely business

She said the company was set up with the purpose to uplift the economic condition of Muslims and has nothing to do with Al-Arqam.

However, she conceded that many former Al-Arqam members have joined Rufaqa but are only involved in its business activities.

"Just because many former Al-Arqam members have joined Rufaqa, it does not mean that we want to revive the movement.

"Apart from being a business entity owned by Muslims, Rufaqa is not involved in politics or any other area," she added.

Laila questioned the motive of the Islamic religious authorities in discrediting the company and calling it a deviant organisation.

She also denied the allegation that her father-in-law wants to revive the banned movement.

"Ashaari himself is happy that the government has banned Al-Arqam. In fact, he is ill now, how can he revive the movement?

"He has explained to the authorities that he has no intentions to revive the movement. He is now resting in Nilai (Negeri Sembilan). If it is true that he is trying revive Al-Arqam, surely the authorities would have arrested him by now," she said.

Show us proof

Commenting further on the allegations against Rufaqa, she said the Islamic authorities such as Jais and Jakim (Islamic Development Department) never visited their premises to observe their activities.

"So how can they accuse us of being deviant. Show us the proof," she stressed.

Laila said at present Rufaqa is adopting the 'wait and see' approach as her father-in-law does not like confrontations.

Following last Saturday's incident, Selangor exco member Abdul Rahman Palil urged Jais to issue a fatwa (edict) to ban Rufaqa.