The Selangor Islamic Religious Council last night arrested more than 20 Syiah Muslims in Gombak.

The congregation had gathered in a shophouse to commemorate the Battle of Karbala ahead of Ashura Day which falls on Sept 9 this year.

Sources confirmed the arrests but said they were released at dawn today.

A Syiah activist told Malaysiakini that the community has gotten used to these raids.

"It has been happening every year now for many years. The Syiah community has a celebration every year between the 1st to the 10th of Muharram."

"So it has become an annual affair that Jais will carry out these raids."

"We consider it a form of harassment. We can see that it's mean to be a threat."

"So far thankfully even though there are arrests, no one gets charged," said the activist.

Another Syiah activist said he expected those arrested to be called back for questioning.

However, he does not expect prosecution as the raid is often intended as a warning.

Syiah Islam is the second-largest denomination of the religion but is deemed deviant in Malaysia which practices Sunni Islam, the dominant form of Islam.