Morocco: Spreading Flyers Despite Risk of Arrest

TAROUDANT, Morocco — On the streets of Morocco, a small but resolute group of believers continues to spread their faith despite opposition from authorities and Islamist factions. Members of the AROPL faith remain steadfast in their mission, defying government restrictions and social stigmas to share their convictions.

Their efforts echo a historic plea. “Is there anyone to help us in this day and age?” Imam Hussein once asked. Today, these believers answer that call, risking their safety to proclaim their faith in public spaces, distribute posters, and foster a sense of unity among their community.

They believe in the coming of the Mahdi—a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad—who, they say, will restore justice and equity to a world steeped in oppression. For them, this conviction is more than a theological stance; it is a guiding principle that shapes their lives.

Among those embracing this path is Ali Idrisi Mahdi, a Moroccan believer who has traveled a complex spiritual journey.

“I was born Sunni, then became Shia in 2003, and in 2018, I found my way to the AROPL faith,” he said.

His search, he explained, was driven by a desire for unity in religious belief. “Every human being seeks the truth,” he said. “I could not accept division within God’s religion.” A friend introduced him to the teachings of Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan through a sermon on YouTube.

“The Imam’s voice touched my heart,” he recalled. “It wasn’t just words—it was truth, supported by hadith and narrations from the Holy Prophet and his family.”

Yet embracing this faith came at a cost. Family members reacted with hostility, labeling him “senile” and “crazy.” Some accused his newfound community of serving foreign interests. Neighbors, he said, were indifferent.

Despite these challenges, Ali Idrisi remains committed to his mission. Now living in Muscat with his wife, he continues to spread his faith, albeit cautiously. “Most people here are police informants,” he said. “But I will persist, through social media and personal encounters.”

The Moroccan government, he said, has shown little tolerance for his faith. “They use oppressive methods against us,” he said.

Islamist groups, particularly Salafi factions, are equally unwelcoming. “They consider us deviant,” he added.

Yet, Ali Idrisi believes that true believers must stand together. “We cannot remain scattered,” he said. “We must form a single community, living and working as one.”

Another adherent, Azzouz Al Mahdi, once a Sunni cleric, embarked on a similar spiritual path. He converted to Shiism in 2012 but remained unsatisfied.

“I was never convinced that Shiism was the true religion,” he said. Along with his brother Fatih, he questioned the political and religious establishment, particularly clerics who issued fatwas endorsing rulers they saw as corrupt.

When they spoke out, their opposition was met with resistance. “People accused us of blasphemy,” he recalled. A confrontation in a mosque led to authorities imprisoning his brother for two months.

His introduction to the AROPL faith came through a satellite channel called The Black Banners of the East. After hearing Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan’s sermon, he was convinced.

For Azzouz, the call to faith has been reinforced by personal visions. In one, he saw himself and his brother trapped in a deep hole as floodwaters rose around them.

“We screamed for help,” he said. “Then a strong, handsome young man appeared. He took our hands, pulled us out, and stroked our heads. Before leaving, he said, ‘Remember me by the name Abdullah.’”

These experiences, along with his theological convictions, have fueled his commitment to spreading his beliefs.

“My goal is to deliver the truth to those who seek it,” he said. “I believe only God has the right to rule on Earth.”

Like Ali Idrisi, Azzouz has encountered widespread rejection from friends, family, and colleagues.

“Even those closest to me refuse to discuss the Imam’s knowledge,” he said. “Some acknowledge my points but still turn away.”

On the streets, reactions vary. “Islamists, particularly Salafis, refuse to engage in discussions about the caliphate,” he said. “Others listen, but they remain bound by the teachings of traditional clerics.”

As for the authorities, Azzouz is blunt. “They are more oppressive than Satan,” he said.

Despite the hostility, both men remain undeterred. They see their mission as part of a divine plan—one that cannot be thwarted by social rejection or political pressure.

“Our task is to establish God’s rule,” Azzouz said. “The savior of the poor and oppressed has arrived. We will not stop until every person has heard this call.”

For now, they continue their work in the shadows, spreading their faith in the face of adversity, with the conviction that their cause is just—and that victory, as they say, is already assured.