An imam of Masjid Fatimah Azzahrah in Taman Kosas, Ampang, was arrested last Saturday evening following an operation by the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs (Jais) to take over administration of the mosque.

Members of the former executive committee have in turn filed a police report against the department for trespass, and stated their intention to take legal action over the arrest of the imam, Zakaria Abdul Rahman.

Mosque officials also spoke of the presence of Umno Youth's Gerak Gempur (Special Squad) from the Ampang division during the day-long operation.

Former deputy chairperson of the mosque committee Fazlul Rahman said about 50 Jais and police officers arrived at 10.30am.

"At first, they asked for the keys to the mosque. While we were talking, however, some of them were already cutting the locks on the side gate, using large metal-cutters," he said.

Fazlul said the officers, led by Jais official Idris Mastor, moved into the mosque compound where other locks were cut. They then allegedly broke into the rooms of the imam and muezzin, among others.

Warning posted

"Jais officers posted notices around the mosque stating that anyone found to have prayed behind an imam other than the one appointed by the department would be arrested," said Fazlul.

"They also warned that anybody who waited until the Jais group had completed their prayers to perform his own prayers would also be arrested."

At 5pm, about 30 members of the Gerak Gempur arrived at the scene. Although there were no untoward incidents, Fazlul said their presence caused some discomfort.

"The manner in which they loitered around the mosque, the way they were dressed and demeanor suggested that they were there to provoke a confrontation. They left at about 6.30pm."

"At 8pm, some of us performed the dusk prayers behind imam Zakaria. Immediately afterwards, three Jais officers held him by the arms and took him off in one of their vehicles."

By then, four lawyers led by Khairuddin Osman were at the Ampang police station to represent Zakaria, who was released on police bail of RM3,000 later that night.

'Unlawful arrest'

Jais officers told Fazlul that Zakaria was arrested under section 23 Syariah criminal procedure code for "defying the orders of the Islamic Religious Council of Selangor".

Khairuddin, however, told reporters that the arrest was baseless and provided grounds to file a suit against Jais for "unlawful arrest".

"We are confident that we have grounds to bring this matter to the civil court," he said.

After his statement was recorded, Zakaria and other former mosque officials filed a police report against Jais for trespass.

Since July, Masjid Fatimah Azzahrah has been under scrutiny for allegedly conducting programmes that have caused anti-government sentiments.

Mosque officials have denied this and stressed that they have only invited religious scholars, regardless of political background, to conduct the educational programmes.

Former secretary Wan Haswari Wan Ahmad said copies of video footage showing Jais officials breaking locks and forcing open doors would be distributed throughout the country.

"We want everyone to see how Jais forced its way into the mosque at the behest of Umno. We have documents to prove it," he added.

Jais, which has since installed a new committee to run the mosque, declined to comment on the issue when contacted by malaysiakini.