Ashaari Mohammad

Haji Ashaari Muhammad was the founder and leader of the Malaysian Islamic group Al-Arqam, which gained prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. On 21 October 1994, the Malaysian federal government banned Al-Arqam, citing concerns over its teachings and activities. Ashaari, along with other members of the group, was arrested in Thailand and subsequently returned to Malaysia, where he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). He remained in detention from 1994 until 2004. During this period, Ashaari publicly renounced his views, and the legal process did not include a formal defence against the charges.