AROPL’s First Global Conference Attracts Academics, Media, and Cheshire East’s Mayor

On August 21st and 22nd, the University of Buckingham in Crewe, the city that is home to the official UK headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, hosted the Supremacy of God conference. The two-day event drew more than 200 attendees, including representatives from international media such as the BBC and a U.S. film crew. Distinguished guests included the Mayor of Cheshire East and several members of the local council, while over a dozen leading scholars of religion engaged in discussions exploring the teachings and significance of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.

Prophet Mohammed and his predecessors Jesus and Moses repeatedly warned their nations about a time in the future when darkness would have almost overshadowed the light. This would be exemplified by a clear deviation from the straight path of God, creating a wide chasm between humanity and the true path. The majority would be completely oblivious to this, chasing worldly desires, the opium of  false scholars with silver tongues and would be stuck primarily on the edges of religion, namely its rules and rituals with its essence lost. In this abyss or mirage they would have forgotten the true meaning of God's universal and eternal message, the supremacy of God. Not self-appointed or elected scholars who would interpret the religion for themselves to fit their own agenda and desires, creating their own selective religions, despite the scriptures outlining that only God has the right to choose a Caliph or leader on the earth. Instead, false scholars would shake hands with the political tyrants of nations to consolidate their grip, much like the Roman Empire and Pharisees at the time of Jesus, and as we see happening all over the Middle East today. 

Prophet Mohammed warned: 

“A time will come when there will be nothing left of Islam except its name, and nothing will remain of the Qur'an except its letters. Their mosques will be full of people, but they will be empty of guidance. Their scholars will be the worst people under the heavens; strife (fitnah) will come from them and return to them.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 190-191)

In his abundant mercy and call for justice reflecting the values of God, the Riser Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq gives you, the sincere truth-seeker not blinded by religious dogma or cultural stereotypes, a chance to find certainty in their faith for themselves, testing this method at the first global conference titled “The Supremacy of God”. What is unique is that the conference was not chaired by converts to the call who might be regarded as biased, or its trained ministers, but instead by esteemed members of academia. These professors, experts in their respective fields of Theology, studied the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light for over a year in many cases, making comparisons with other religions in order to distinguish its proofs. Unanimously they were able to clarify that the faith is deeply rooted in coherent proofs in its claims, which are supported by a plethora of narrations from diverse scriptures including Abrahamic, Western philosophy and even oriental religions. Many of these are documented in the footnotes of the award-winning book, The Goal of the Wise, authored by Aba Al-Sadiq himself, No wonder its leader is today recognised as the companion of the evidence. This is another reason fundamentally why the professors consider AROPL a genuine and living religion, one that has a messenger and its own gospel, a clear ideology. The faith represents an unbroken chain that is a continuation of 124,000 prophets and messengers sent across the world, making it remarkably the newest as well as one of the fastest growing faiths in the world, yet at the same time, one of the oldest faiths, originating from Adam.

The Supremacy of God Conference at the University of Buckingham in Crewe was a full house, attended by members of the faith from America and Europe, truth-seekers, local community members, counsellors, news reporters from the BBC and other media outlets, and renowned professors alike. 

A select number of members from AROPL all around the world were invited as guests to observe and learn from the professors. We spoke to the two US nationals Alexandra Etheredge and Kevin Collado, strong supporters and members of the AROPL UK community, both from a Christian background. They had the privilege of attending both days of the Supremacy of God Conference. Sister Alexandra and brother Kevin were able to share their insights with us. Alexandra felt the first day in particular stood out as a thoughtful and well-structured introduction, setting the tone for the entire event.

The conference demonstrated a high academic standard from the outset. It began with a broad, well-researched and cross-referenced introduction to AROPL provided by Massimo Introvigne. Massimo is an Italian sociologist of religion, Managing Director of Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) and Editor-in-Chief of the esteemed Bitter Winter magazine. He has also authored numerous books on religion and sociology and teaches at the Universities of Turin and Pisa.

Massimo Introvigne at the Supremacy of God Conference

Alexandra reported that Massimo's presentation was clear, engaging, and coherent, allowing attendees to gain an accessible yet in-depth understanding of the religion’s foundations. Professor Introvigne, as a deeply sincere researcher, demonstrated a strong command of the material, presenting the beliefs of AROPL accurately and without bias, paving the way for the more specialized presentations that followed.

The second speaker, Aria Razfar, a renowned author and Professor of Education and Linguistics at the University of Illinois Chicago, explored the intersection of language, knowledge, and spirituality, in conjunction with the rise of AROPL knowledge and consciousness.

Razfar’s presentation was both thought-provoking and innovative, examining how many modern religious traditions have stripped mathematics from language, losing a profound depth of meaning. He highlighted how the Goal of the Wise, the central text of AROPL, revives this dimension of language, reconnecting it to inherent divine knowledge and restoring what has been lost through ignorance and dogma. Professor Razfar's talk was engaging and intellectually stimulating, leaving the audience eager to learn more about this unique approach to language and consciousness.

The third presentation was delivered by Karolina Maria Kotkowska, Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Civilizations Studies at Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland and Graduate of pedagogics, ethnology and philosophy. In her interdisciplinary research she concentrates on those on the margins of culture, especially the esoteric and religious. She delved into the challenging subject of the soul.

“Say, 'The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind has not been given knowledge except a little.’" (Quran 17:85)

It was promised that when the Riser would come forth, he would reveal our family in the soul world and that we would need no greater proof than that. 

The dialogue was focused around this theme: What Can a Soul Do? Reincarnation, Transmigration, and Divine Dreams. This opened up so much scope for deeper contemplation about the true essence of human life and experience.

Drawing on her background in pedagogy, ethnology, and philosophy, Karolina delivered a concise yet information-dense paper. Her research explored AROPL’s perspectives, demonstrating a deep and clear understanding of the religion’s beliefs.

Next, Susan J. Palmer, Affiliate Professor at Concordia University and Lecturer at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, shared insights from her field research with AROPL. Her discourse was titled, Joining AROPL: How Did They Convert?

Drawing from interviews conducted on the ground at AROPL’s headquarters with a wide range of long-term community members, she presented a variety of reasons why individuals choose to join the AROPL movement. These included the community’s strong commitment to human rights, overwhelming logical proofs from scripture and eschatology, as well as some of the divine experiences that members described as guiding them toward the religion’s leader, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, such as deep meditation and dreams. Her presentation was professional, respectful, and academically rigorous, highlighting the personal dimensions of faith within AROPL.

Holly Folk, Professor and Major Advisor in Religion and Culture at Western Washington University, presented an in-depth paper based on her fieldwork with AROPL, A New Monotheist Tradition. She had also previously visited the headquarters of the religion, immersing herself in the community for several days and observing the way of life and daily practices, breaking bread with community members. Alexandra observed, as did other AROPL converts, how the presentation was thorough, educational, respectful, and engaging, demonstrating both careful research and a genuine appreciation of the lived experiences of AROPL members. Holly also contributed significantly during the Q&A session, volunteering to answer many questions and deepening the audience’s understanding of her findings.

Holly Folk at the AROPL headquarters in Crewe

The second day of the Supremacy of God Conference shifted the focus toward a deeper examination of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, with presentations delivered primarily by scholars and human rights advocates.

The day began with a talk from Márk Nemes, a Hungarian historian, philosopher, and scholar of new religious movements. He is also the Deputy Director of CESNUR, one of the founders of the Central European Symposium for the Academic Study of Religion (CESAR) – a CEE-based network of young religionists, doctoral students, and candidates. Márk received his PhD in philosophy, a specialization in the theory of religions, at the University of Szeged’s Málnási Bartók György Doctoral School of Philosophy. His research interests involve phenomena of contemporary religiosity, various new religious movements and other alternative frontiers of lived contemporary religious communities.

His presentation, A Narrowing Covenant with God: Verification Mechanisms in the AROPL, examined the faith's teachings in the Goal of the Wise. He commented that the book clarifies how this age culminates in the seventh Covenant brought forth by Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. This is a renewal and restorative final covenant between God and mankind after six broken covenants with previous established covenant bearers such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. His paper was thorough and academically rigorous, demonstrating both an in-depth understanding of the material and a clear presentation of the theological framework that defines AROPL’s unique place in monotheist traditions. 

The second presentation was given by J. Gordon Melton, Distinguished Professor of American Religious History at Baylor University (retired 2022) and Director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Texas. He is a pioneering scholar in the field of New Religions Studies on the International board of CESNUR, the primary academic association for new and minority religions. Dr. Melton is also the author of more than fifty books and numerous scholarly articles and papers in this field of research. He explored AROPL’s mission to establish a Divine Just State for the sake of all humanity, tying together themes from the prior presentations while emphasizing the practical challenges the religion faces due to critics and persecution worldwide. His talk provided a thoughtful synthesis of AROPL’s vision and the obstacles to its realization.

Hadil El-Khouly with Willy Fautré and  Massimo Introvigne at the Supremacy of God Conference

Another keynote speaker, Willy Fautré, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRW), and an active contributor for the European Times, discussed the need for freedom of expression amidst the ongoing persecution of AROPL and its members across the world, significantly in the Middle East in nations such as Iraq and Iran. Willy provided a particular focus on the case of 104 AROPL members fleeing from severe persecution who attempted to legally seek refuge at the Turkish-Bulgarian border. Are nations that built their faith and laws on Abrahamic faiths not aware of the statement of their Prophet Moses?

“You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:21)

His presentation described the abuse, torture, and terror inflicted on specific individuals over the course of a year, in virtual concentration camp conditions. Willy reminded us that this all took place despite AROPL’s progressive and inclusive beliefs and having received over 25 signed statements from HR agencies to support their stake for asylum in Europe. Of course such actions highlight the broader human rights violations that AROPL members continue to face. In tandem, Willy advocated for the importance of taking a non-biased approach to media reporting and not relying on statements from former members with vendettas against the leader and its members with their targeted emotional accusations.

Hans Noot spoke as a Dutch religious educator, human rights advocate and contributor to the Bitter Winter magazine, from the Gerard Noodt Foundation for Religious Freedom, supporting Freedom of Religion or Belief in Europe and working with over 70 esteemed academics in this field. Hans was able to speak broadly and specifically concerning AROPL in the context of the European geopolitical and religious landscape and cultural heritage, significantly during the Swedish chapter in which the AROPL headquarters were raided by a Swedish SWAT team based on wild rumours stirred up by neighbours. This happened despite AROPL advocating for peaceful and considered dialogue with all external parties and promoting a universal humanitarian message of true monotheism and love of the one true supreme divine.

Hans emphasized the challenges posed by cultural and linguistic differences, noting how terms like “God” carry diverse meanings depending on one’s background, which often leads to misunderstanding and rejection. He further compared AROPL’s current persecution to the early struggles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, underscoring the need for greater protection of religious freedom and human rights for minority faiths.

Next was a presentation from Martin Weightman, Director and Chair of All Faiths Network, an interfaith and human rights organisation focused on religious freedom, who has worked in the field of human rights for more than 40 years. He is very much focused on critical issues of global society that cross borders and national divides, such as human rights education, mental health abuse and freedom of expression. Martin focused on what is indeed perceived as a Strange Story: The Persecution of AROPL in Sweden, which was very intriguing and in conjunction with the other keynote speakers highlighted this story. 

Martin detailed the unjust and illegal treatment of AROPL members in Sweden. His account shed light on state-led discrimination and harassment faced by the members of AROPL, adding a regional perspective to the broader picture of global persecution. It is a story that resonates with the concept mentioned by the family of Mohammed that whenever the truth is proclaimed in the public sphere, oppressive forces would seek to undermine the call, just as the persecution in Sweden coincided with the great success of the AROPL satellite channel.

Following Weightman’s presentation, attendees viewed a televised speech from Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, the Mahdi and leader of AROPL. The address responded directly to the Swedish authorities’ persecution campaign, including the unlawful raid on members’ property and discriminatory practices such as forced drug testing and public humiliation. The speech served as a powerful rebuttal to state oppression, offering AROPL’s perspective on the injustices its community has faced in Sweden.

Another keynote speaker at the conference was, Dr. Alessandro Amicarelli, a specialist Human Rights Lawyer in London, UK, with the European Federation for Freedom of Belief, whose paper focused on Islamic Radicalism versus AROPL in the UK. Alessanodro highlighted the importance of examining a faith's doctrine and ideology based on its own merits without prejudice. He revealed the humanistic, progressive and inclusive nature of AROPL and its call as opposed to the radical Islamists preaching hatred and distrust of their fellow man.

Alessandro’s paper addressed the persecution of AROPL in the United Kingdom, particularly during the community’s residence in Crewe. He detailed threats from local extremist groups as well as the damaging aftermath of smear campaigns by major UK media outlets including The Guardian, Vice, and the Daily Mail. His talk highlighted both the immediate dangers faced by AROPL members and the broader implications for religious freedom in the UK.

A particularly notable presentation was given by Rosita Šorytė, a Lithuanian diplomat with 25 years experience, inter alia at UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in New York. In 2012-2013, she chaired the European Union Working Group on Humanitarian Aid. She takes a special interest in religious liberty and refugees escaping their countries due to religious persecution. Rosita is co-founder and President of ORLIR, the International Observatory of Religious Liberty of Refugees. She is also the author of several articles on religious liberty and religion-based humanitarian initiatives. 

She examined the emergence of what she termed “New Age anti-cultism.” Her recent contributions to the Bitter Winter Magazine expose the defamatory nature of this movement, which seems to have an overtone of political narratives merging with those of established religions with a monopolistic agenda. She recognises how, despite a disconformity between their views, they come together in an attempt to blacken the image of well meaning new religious movements that are the opposite to theirs, actually having humanity at the core of their universal message, as with AROPL. 

This report also focused more specifically on the figure of Be Scofield, whose writings have been widely cited by mainstream media in smear campaigns against AROPL. Šorytė’s research revealed the questionable sources behind Scofield’s claims, which included astrology, psychics, angelic messages, and even extraterrestrial encounters. Her talk raised serious questions about the reliability of modern journalism, challenging why major outlets such as The Guardian rely on such sources in reporting on minority religions.

There was also a comprehensive presentation during the conference from Hadil Al-Khouly, Human Rights Coordinator for AROPL and the Country Coordinator for Algeria and Libya at Amnesty UK. She also holds a law degree and has prior experience working on women’s rights in Egypt with CEWLA. Her presentation offered a detailed analysis of the persecution faced by AROPL in Muslim-majority countries, while also highlighting the eligion’s teachings on human rights, gender equality, and inclusivity of LGBTQ+ members. The session was both powerful and insightful, emphasising the broader social and ethical dimensions of AROPL’s mission.

The academic presentations concluded with a heart wrenching documentary produced by AROPL Studios. This film was exceptionally well made, shedding light on the severe persecution faced by the religion’s members across the globe due to what are deemed to be heretical beliefs by the mainstream Muslim-majority nations, while also offering a deeper perspective on why adherents hold such deep love and reverence for their cause and their leader. It balanced emotional resonance through analytical interviews with informative and well-researched evidence, and left a strong and lasting impression on the audience.

The second day of the Conference was a powerful continuation of the work that began on the first day, moving from theological and sociological studies into the pressing human rights challenges confronting AROPL. Each speaker combined scholarly rigour with a genuine concern for justice, making the sessions not only intellectually engaging but also morally compelling. Collectively, the presentations underscored the urgent need for greater awareness, fair media practices, and stronger protections for freedom of religion and belief.

Alexandra and Kevin were able to share with us their own personal reflections as to why the conference was so impactful for them. Across all the presentations, the professors displayed professionalism, academic prowess, respect for both the subject matter and AROPL members present. The Q&A sessions were relatively brief—likely due to the thoroughness of the presentations—but they nonetheless allowed for meaningful engagement. The overall atmosphere was one of curiosity, respect, and intellectual exchange.

There is no doubt, based on the feedback from the Supremacy of God Conference, from a broad spectrum of society, including the media and community, that the conference should be considered a resounding success. It dispelled much of the confusion and air of mystery surrounding the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, much of which stems from smear campaigns by anti-cultist movements. 

Ticket for the Supremacy of God Conference

As we stated, in attendance were members of Crewe Town Council, the Mayor of Crewe, other local residents, as well as members of various media outlets such as BBC. The event not only deepened understanding of AROPL’s history, beliefs, and practices, but also laid important groundwork for building stronger relationships between the local community in Crewe and the religion. It is no wonder that many of the local government counsellors, despite having busy work schedules, wanted to return for the second day of the conference. They vocalised how they were keen to encourage the AROPL team to host further open days in the future to foster more understanding of the faith and ideology of AROPL and its community, as well as the mission of its leader Aba Al-Sadiq, who has proven legitimately by a sacred holy will that he has been sent forth by the one true God.