Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 162
News Summaries (Vol. 3, No. 2)
Al-Arqam and Al-Maunah
Creating Blind Faith
Zabidi Mohamed, a former senior leader in the Southeast Asian cult Al-Arqam — led by
Asaari Muhammad, who claimed to receive instructions from the Prophet Muhammad — now
says: ―Before the followers of a group turn fanatical, they are guided into believing the
cause by charismatic leaders with sweet promises. ...People want shortcuts to becoming
good Muslims, just like they want to become instant millionaires. So groups like Al-Qaeda
exploit this weakness by saying the fastest way to heaven is through its jihad.‖ Zabidi, who
has written a book on the now disbanded Al-Arqam, was speaking with special reference to
Al-Maunah, a contemporary militant Islamic group in the region. (Reme Achmad, Straights
Times, Internet, 5/31/04)
Al-Muhajiroun
Alleged Bomb Plotter Brainwashed Says Family
The family of Omar Khyam, one of eight suspects in a bombing plot in Britain, says he was
recruited four years ago by the Al-Muhajiroun Muslim sect, taken to Pakistan, and
brainwashed by religious extremists.
Khan‘s uncle says: ―Omar was a normal kid until Al-Muhajiroun started preaching their
hatred around here. They preyed on boys at the mosque and even in the shopping centres,
getting them when they were young and impressionable. They showed them videos of the
injustices Muslims were suffering and then channeled their anger into hatred.‖ (Justine
Smith, The Mirror, Internet, 4/1/04)
Amish
Ruling against Keeping Horses
A Centre County (PA) judge has ruled two Amish men must not keep horses on their
property, which is zoned high-density, multi-family residential, because a Walker Township
ordinance says they must have more than one acre to do so. The judge agreed that the law
poses a burden on the men‘s freedom of religion — their beliefs forbid use of motor vehicles
— but cited countervailing health and safety concerns in his denial of the men‘s appeal for a
variance. (Erin L. Nissley, Centre Daily Times, Internet, 4/9/04)
Arthur Allen/House of Prayer
Minister Denied Parole on Abuse Conviction
The Rev. Arthur Allen, serving a two-year sentence in Georgia for whipping two boys in his
church, was denied parole because, said the state Pardons and Parole Board, ―he has
already proven‖ — by violating an earlier probationary period — that ―he cannot abide by
the conditions of community supervision.‖ Dozens of children in Allen‘s congregation were
taken into custody temporarily when their parents would not agree to prevent Allen from
whipping them. (AP, Internet, 5/19/04)
Children of Thunder
Guilty of Murder in “War Against Satan”
A Contra Costa County, CA, jury has found Justin Alan Helzer, a member of the ―cult-like‖
Children of Thunder, guilty of five murders and extortion. It was alleged that he and a
roommate joined with his charismatic older brother and leader, Glenn Helzer, to murder an
elderly couple with a hammer, eviscerate them, and dismember the bodies with a saw
News Summaries (Vol. 3, No. 2)
Al-Arqam and Al-Maunah
Creating Blind Faith
Zabidi Mohamed, a former senior leader in the Southeast Asian cult Al-Arqam — led by
Asaari Muhammad, who claimed to receive instructions from the Prophet Muhammad — now
says: ―Before the followers of a group turn fanatical, they are guided into believing the
cause by charismatic leaders with sweet promises. ...People want shortcuts to becoming
good Muslims, just like they want to become instant millionaires. So groups like Al-Qaeda
exploit this weakness by saying the fastest way to heaven is through its jihad.‖ Zabidi, who
has written a book on the now disbanded Al-Arqam, was speaking with special reference to
Al-Maunah, a contemporary militant Islamic group in the region. (Reme Achmad, Straights
Times, Internet, 5/31/04)
Al-Muhajiroun
Alleged Bomb Plotter Brainwashed Says Family
The family of Omar Khyam, one of eight suspects in a bombing plot in Britain, says he was
recruited four years ago by the Al-Muhajiroun Muslim sect, taken to Pakistan, and
brainwashed by religious extremists.
Khan‘s uncle says: ―Omar was a normal kid until Al-Muhajiroun started preaching their
hatred around here. They preyed on boys at the mosque and even in the shopping centres,
getting them when they were young and impressionable. They showed them videos of the
injustices Muslims were suffering and then channeled their anger into hatred.‖ (Justine
Smith, The Mirror, Internet, 4/1/04)
Amish
Ruling against Keeping Horses
A Centre County (PA) judge has ruled two Amish men must not keep horses on their
property, which is zoned high-density, multi-family residential, because a Walker Township
ordinance says they must have more than one acre to do so. The judge agreed that the law
poses a burden on the men‘s freedom of religion — their beliefs forbid use of motor vehicles
— but cited countervailing health and safety concerns in his denial of the men‘s appeal for a
variance. (Erin L. Nissley, Centre Daily Times, Internet, 4/9/04)
Arthur Allen/House of Prayer
Minister Denied Parole on Abuse Conviction
The Rev. Arthur Allen, serving a two-year sentence in Georgia for whipping two boys in his
church, was denied parole because, said the state Pardons and Parole Board, ―he has
already proven‖ — by violating an earlier probationary period — that ―he cannot abide by
the conditions of community supervision.‖ Dozens of children in Allen‘s congregation were
taken into custody temporarily when their parents would not agree to prevent Allen from
whipping them. (AP, Internet, 5/19/04)
Children of Thunder
Guilty of Murder in “War Against Satan”
A Contra Costa County, CA, jury has found Justin Alan Helzer, a member of the ―cult-like‖
Children of Thunder, guilty of five murders and extortion. It was alleged that he and a
roommate joined with his charismatic older brother and leader, Glenn Helzer, to murder an
elderly couple with a hammer, eviscerate them, and dismember the bodies with a saw
