Ariffin Mohamed
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Ariffin Mohamed or Ayah Pin (Ayah being a common honorific meaning "father") is the founder and leader of "Sky Kingdom" spiritual commune in Malaysia. It is unclear as of 2005 whether he claims to be God [1], as some journalists report.
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[edit] Biography
He was born Dok Gu Mou Dik Ira Gedol, either in 1940 in Terengganu, Malaysia, or in 1943 in Beris, Kampung Besar Bachok, Kelantan. He was the only son of village odd-job worker Mohamed Merah and Saadiah Yaakob (both deceased).
One article relates that "In his youth, Pin was keen on cockfighting and bird-singing contests, and eked out a living selling scrap iron and trading water buffaloes." [2] Another adds that "He was involved in many small-time businesses, such as scrap iron and buffalo trading, and he even worked as a sub-contractor." [3]
At the age of ten Ayah Pin fell ill - he reports that he "died" for forty days - and was taken to heaven by an angel. Later in life he would die 17 times altogether, coming back each time. The angel returned in another visitation when he reached 30. At some point (the late 1970's?) Ayah Pin appears to have become a disciple of Hassan Tuhan (born Anak Rimau), whom one state official remembers as also claiming to be God.
[edit] Wives
Ayah Pin currently has four wives.
He advocates polygamy and communal living, and describes himself as the reincarnation of Jesus (among others). In 1999, he was jailed for 11 months for "denigrating the tenets of Islam".
By his own account, Ayah Pin has had two other wives from whom he is divorced, since they demanded exclusivity. Of his current wives, he says that the first chose the second; those two chose the third; and those three then chose the fourth. Polygamy was not his own choice but that of his wives. Their names are (ages as of 2005):
- Che Minah Ramli (or Remeli) (58)
- Cik Zaharah (or Jaharah) Awang (45)
- Ruzilan Mokhtar (41)
Ayah Pin has been accused of sleeping with his female followers but he denies this. His followers appeared to be from a cross section of the society including westerners who visit the commune from time to time so seek solace and peace.
[edit] Children and Followers
The names of several of Ayah Pin's children have surfaced in the press.
- Daughter: Nor Hashide (20)
- Son: Mohd Khairuddin (20)
- Son: Mohd Razlin Shah (19)
- Daughter: Khairunadia (18)
- Son of Che Minah (wife #1) "Mazlan," age uncertain.
[edit] Legal Issues
Ayah Pin is liable for arrest in the states of Terengganu, Selangor and Malacca as a fatwa has been issued by the religious courts of these states against his teachings. Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Mohd Omar stated in parliament that the enforcement of Islamic law was a state issue and that “If the States do not make it illegal, then it will be very difficult to take action against Ariffin or his followers.”
Ayah Pin is not currently on the list of people who are wanted under the Internal Security Act.
[edit] Current Whereabouts
Ayah Pin has avoided arrest by Malaysian authorities by fleeing to Narathiwat, in southern Thailand, where he now resides. In the past he has crossed the border a number of times, but is said to have ceased this activity.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Sun, Malaysia Interview (in Bahasa Malaysia)
- Malaysiakini Photos of Sky Kingdom
- Ada apa dengan Ayah Pin complete story of ayah Pin (in Bahasa Malaysia)
