E/CN.4/1995/91 page 60 In a communication dated 5 October 1994, the Special Rapporteur sent the following information to the Government of Malaysia: "According to the information received, a religious organization called ’Al Argam’ has been banned by the Fatwa National Committee on the grounds that the movement’s teachings and beliefs are at variance with the teaching and practice of Islam and could lead Muslims astray. The ban is said to relate to the organization’s ideology (identification of Al Argam’s leader, Ashaari Muhammad, as a prophet), philosophy, practice and publications. Following the ban, government representatives and senior officials are said to have threatened action against Al Argam followers and sympathizers. Investigations have reportedly been opened, in particular in the following universities: ’University Sains Malaysia’ and ’University Kebangsaan Malaysia’. On 26 August 1994, the Government reportedly declared Al Argam to be illegal. Following that decision, mass arrests of that religious organization’s supporters reportedly took place, followed by release on bail. In particular, on 27 August, 164 people are said to have been detained and then released on bail. In addition, Ashaari Muhammad, Al Argam’s leader, has reportedly been in detention since 3 September, together with his wife and six-month-old daughter." Morocco In a communication dated 18 August 1994, the Special Rapporteur sent the following comments to the Government of Morocco: "According to reports, although the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship, in practice, only Islam, Christianity and Judaism are said to be authorized. The Baha’is, a community of 150 to 200 persons, has reportedly not been allowed to meet or to have public activities since 1983. Moreover, according to Islamic law and tradition, renouncing the Muslim faith is strictly forbidden and any attempt to convert a Muslim is punishable by imprisonment. The Special Rapporteur has been informed that, in September 1993, 19 Muslims were allegedly arrested because they had received Christian literature from a foreigner. One of them, Mustapha Zmamda (29 years of age), who had become a Christian after listening to radio broadcasts from Monte Carlo and had taken Bible-study courses by correspondence, had refused to sign an undertaking not to receive Christian literature. The 18 others accused are said to have signed this undertaking under duress. Because of his refusal to sign, Mr. Zmamda was allegedly sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and was released after two months in detention after he renounced Christianity. A Brazilian missionary, who led Bible-study meetings which Mr. Zmamda attended, reportedly resigned from his teaching post after his employer was threatened with withdrawal of his licence.