Dozens of books, believed to contain verses for 'zikr' and 'dua', believed to be practised by the followers of the Bukhara Shiite sect group were seized at a house in Mentakab early today.

The books were seized following a raid conducted by the Pahang Islamic Affairs Department (JAIP) and the police.

JAIP head of operations Mohd Anis Mohd Azmi said the raid was conducted at 3am after several months of surveillance by the department following reports on suspected deviationist teachings being conducted at the premise.

He said there 19 men and 13 women, as well as three children and an infant, in the living room of the two-storey house when the team conducted the raid.

"Following investigation, they are believed to be practising a teaching which is against the teachings of the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, or that set by the Pahang Mufti Department," he told reporters in Temerloh.

He said they were required to go to the JAIP district office on July 23 to have their statements recorded.

- Bernama