I was a soldier in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and I was very afraid that they would find out I had changed my religion. I have suffered many injustices because of this. I tried to flee Iran by air on December 9, 2022, but the Ministry of Intelligence had banned my exit. My passport was confiscated at the airport, and I was given a paper telling me I had to appear before the Religious Court.

I have been subjected to harassment and persecution by both the government and my family because of my faith in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. In Iran, there is no freedom of belief, and in the Islamic Republic, anyone who changes their religion is considered an apostate. Public expression of this belief may result in imprisonment and, in some cases, execution.

The Divine Just State magazine sat with Zahra Shekariyan Asl, a qualified and published nurse from Iran, to get details of her experiences and struggles, including the recent disappearance of her brother, Mohammadreza Shekariyan Asl, who has not been missing since the 23rd of September.

Around 2015 to 2016, Ahmad Bukhari from Malaysia entered a phase in his life to seek out and find the truth. As a Muslim who yearned for justice in the end times, he began to search for the eschatological figure, the Mahdi, with all his soul and conviction.

History was made on March 13th 2026, 03.13.2026, when a protest organised by the members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light took the Egyptian embassies around the world by storm in a humiliating exposure of their abuses of basic Human Rights according to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Egypt is a signatory to since the 10th of December 1948.

These statues, commissioned by Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq for the very first time in history, give anyone the chance to take a glimpse into the past through the life-size portrayals of these six historic figures. The world has effectively been deprived of gazing upon their images for approximately 1,400 years.

Today, Iran is a different place than it was on the 25th of February. In less than one month, the instability that started at the end of December and intensified throughout January, as previously documented, with protests on the streets against the government and violence erupting as reported in the global news press, culminated in the airstrike that ended the life of Ali Khamenei on the 28th of February.

In Iran I was strictly controlled by my family, and they threatened me with house arrest and to hand me over to the police. All of this happened due to threats from the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC, because reports about my conversion and my preaching to people had reached them. These threats initially came in the form of phone calls and Telegram messages, and they still continue. 

My name is Nima Esfandiari. I was born on February 28, 2005. I took my oath of allegiance in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in 2020 in Iran. I was threatened with arrest by various authorities such as the Basij and the Ministry of Intelligence. They repeatedly targeted me on Telegram and other social media platforms, where I was peacefully inviting people and promoting the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. They sent me threatening messages many times.

"CAP Freedom of Conscience delivers statement at UN Human Rights Council on arbitrary detention, torture, and persecution of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light members in Egypt under Item 9."

I, Mehdi Akbari, born on January 31, 1993, am from Iran. I embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in the year 2021. In 2022, after my brothers and their families were arrested near the border on charges of attempting to flee the government, I was summoned to the ideological office by Mr. Tajari, who was my superior during my service in the Law Enforcement Forces. He reprimanded me for not reporting my brother’s religious beliefs and ordered for me to spy on my brothe

In Iran, anyone who leaves Islam is considered an infidel, and their blood is considered permissible (halal). After many threats and arrests of members of our religion, and realizing that I could no longer practice my faith in Iran, because I was being threatened daily, I decided to leave the country. I took steps to leave, but at Imam Khomeini Airport, after purchasing a ticket, paying the fees, and passing through inspection, my name was called over the loudspeaker.

From state TV slander to forced disappearances: Iran's brutal crackdown on peaceful Ahmadi believers exposes a regime terrified of any threat to its authority. No permission needed to use their images in propaganda. No mercy for those who seek only peace and light.

The Malaysian persecution of believers in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light continues unabated, with a new twist now being utilised to bring additional pressure and abuse. The Divine Just State magazine highlighted the case of Security Guard Mohammad Shahirman  on the 13th of February 2026. This innocent man was forced to pay a fine of RM2500, worth around a month and a half of his wages, simply for possessing materials in his home about the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and

Cover of USCIRF 2026 Annual Report exposing religious freedom violations in 29 countries, including persecution of Ahmadi believers.

Arrests, torture claims, and a global campaign: Egypt faces mounting pressure over jailed minority believers.

Moroccan AROPL believer Fateh Benaiss was arrested in Marrakech for peacefully preaching and handing out leaflets.

Malaysia’s religious paradox: faith is allowed, but questioning it—and choosing differently—comes at a cost.

The United States Commission On International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a statement on the 28th of January 2026 addressing the situation in Egypt calling upon the Trump administration to take action.

No crime, months in detention: the case of Marwan Melouk is raising alarms about religious persecution in Algeria.

More than a dozen adherents of this minority faith have been held for over ten months solely for exercising their fundamental right to practice their beliefs. Launched on December 19, 2025, the #FreeAROPLMembers campaign seeks to amplify these voices, urging Egyptian authorities to uphold universal human rights

Malaysia Says It Protects Religious Freedom—So Why Are Malays Trapped in a Faith They Can’t Leave

Recent Friday sermons in Parachinar have raised concerns over incitement against the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, coinciding with arrests and threats in Pakistan.

Over a dozen Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light members remain tortured and detained in Egypt for their beliefs. A global campaign launches today, urging activists to post, testify, and pressure embassies for their release.

Pakistani authorities arrest individuals in Parachinar for peacefully sharing posters about a minority religious movement, amid threats and backlash

Egyptian authorities arrested AROPL members in 2025 solely for their faith—tortured, disappeared, denied care. Amnesty demands release & justice. Join our month-long campaign from Dec 19: post, write embassies, amplify #FreeAROPLMembers. Faith is not a crime!

Iraqi Ahmadi follower Mushtaq Dakhil Ali Abd abducted by PMF militia, detained 40 days & threatened for peaceful online expression of faith. Judge warns: further belief-sharing will bring severe consequences.

At the 4th World SangSaeng Forum in Korea, lawyer Alessandro Amicarelli presented on the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, highlighting its theology, values, and the global persecution of its members.

Amnesty International has just launched a second Urgent Action  calling for the release of detained members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Egypt. This renewed appeal follows alarming new evidence of torture and other ill-treatment in custody . Despite the first Urgent Action earlier this year, Egyptian authorities continue to arbitrarily detain over a dozen Ahmadi believers solely for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief . Family members repor

Our members in Iran have faced sustained persecution by the Iranian authorities. Although the government claims to be the true followers of Imam Al-Mahdi and to govern by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and his household, it rejected the appearance of the Qa’im, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, in 2015, despite his fulfilling the recognized criteria and prophecies. Since then, the authorities have aggressively targeted our Ansar. No other government has shown comparable hostil

3 October 2025 -  A small group of local Muslims in Pagadian City, Philippines identifying with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) have reported facing social and online persecution after publicly declaring their allegiance to the Qa’im, the Riser of the Family of Mohammed, Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem. AROPL reportedly has around 42 believers in the Philippines, who are actively engaged in missionary work. The group began its outreach efforts through flyers and

The followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light continue to face serious challenges due to their faith, particularly in...

Update On The Case of Missing Muhamad Hisyam Fikri: Malaysian publication  The Star  29 Dec 2025 Johor Police Chief, Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad, “cited a successful operation on Sept 4, where the Special Branch and Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) arrested an individual involved with the banned “Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light” (AROPL). He said the individual was charged under sections 5, 9, and 13(1) (b) of Johor State Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997 a

Update 15 Sep 2025 - The Criminal Court of Peace in Ağrı has ruled for the release of three Iranian members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, Sajjad Jafari, Ali Lakzaeian, and Mansour Dehghan, who have been detained in Turkey since February 2025. Originally held in Isparta for peacefully engaging in missionary activities, they were accused of “disturbing public order” solely for sharing their faith through posters and literature. Their detention sparked a widespread

On August 21–22, the University of Buckingham in Crewe hosted the Supremacy of God conference, uniting scholars, the BBC, and local leaders to explore the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.

M. and R. (names changed for protection), along with their children (11 and 9 years old), represent more than a refugee statistic. Their...

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light was honoured to attend a high-level event hosted on the 8th of July 2025 at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), organised as part of the UK Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has issued a decision ordering Turkey to halt the deportation of two Iranian members of the...

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light strongly condemns the recent physical assault on Solto Kubanychbekovich, a...

On 4 June 2025, officers from the Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) conducted a raid at Mohd Tarmizi’s residence in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, at approximately 8:00 AM. He was subsequently detained for 24 hours at the Kuantan District Police Headquarters.

The campaign to protect members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in Egypt has rapidly evolved into a major international movement, drawing attention and action from human rights advocates and supporters across the globe. 

Sameera, the sister of Hazem and wife of Omar, provides shocking details about the conditions endured by the detainees after her visit to the detention facility. Her account describes their initial 30 days in custody, from the date of their arrest until their appearance before the public prosecutor. 

Hassana Rachdi, a 35-year-old Moroccan mother and believer, was taken into custody today in Meknes while engaging in peaceful missionary activity on TikTok Live.

On April 30, 2025, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, represented by Human Rights Coordinator Hadil Elkhouly, attended the conference on Religious Minorities at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.

The Arabic shows on the satellite channel are reaching a vast audience; however, they continue to receive threatening phone calls and comments from some viewers proclaiming that spilling the blood of the presenters and any believers is a duty for Muslims. In some cases, they have even threatened beheading.

Shabnam Gaziyeva was arrested near Red Square in Moscow for distributing flyers promoting the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. This is the first known arrest in Russia related to the faith.

The recent detention of Habibullah Ahmadi, an Afghan citizen arrested in May 2025 while distributing flyers, reflects a broader campaign of repression against AROPL by the Iranian regime. This follows earlier incidents, including the 2025 disappearance of Saeed Jarrahian and Abbas Jafari Najaf, and the violent 2022 assault on believers traveling together.

A member from Bangladesh was forcibly taken from his home on April 30, 2025, by a group of extremist Sunni men and Imams. Video footage and eyewitness reports confirm that he was beaten, insulted, and has not been seen since.

Raise your voice by writing a letter to the Egyptian authorities demanding the immediate release of the detained members and an end to the persecution. Your letter will make a great difference in creating lasting change and stopping injustice against our members worldwide, not just in Egypt. 

Amnesty International has launched an Urgent Action—its most critical level of emergency response—calling for immediate international pressure on Egyptian authorities to release all detained AROPL members unconditionally.