UPDATE 23rd of August 2024- The six Jordanian members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, who were detained on July 25, 2024, for peacefully conducting missionary work in Amman, have been released on bail. The members were held in solitary confinement under poor hygienic conditions, where their faith was repeatedly mocked. They were also threatened by authorities not to practice their religion publicly or online. It has been reported that their social media accounts are now being closely monitored.
In response to these events, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has filed a formal complaint with the UN Special Procedures for Arbitrary Detention and Freedom of Religion, citing their arrest and treatment as clear violations of their fundamental human rights. The group continues to express concern over the ongoing persecution and the chilling effect this has on their religious expression in Jordan.
UPDATE 8th of August 2024 - The Jordanian government is now formally pressing charges against the Jordanian members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light under Article 150 of the Jordanian Penal Code for "inciting sectarian strife". Official documents from the prosecution confirm these charges. The trial for the accused members is scheduled to take place on September 16th.
The peaceful and respectful distribution of flyers about one's religious beliefs should not result in arrest and detention. This is a clear violation of the AROPL members' rights to freedom of belief and freedom of expression. The Jordanian authorities are misusing Article 150 of the Penal Code (misdemeanor of inciting sectarian strife) to restrict the religious freedom of a minority. This tactic is clearly aimed at intimidating AROPL members and deterring them from engaging in peaceful missionary work, which is an essential aspect of their faith.
UPDATE 31st of July 2024 - Five members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light from Jordan, identified as Issa Mahmoud Abd Al-Rahman Abu Shahin, Fadi Mostafa Mohamad Alyan, Yahya Hassan Abdullah Jabir, Omar Mahmoud Abd Al-Rahman Abu Shahin, and Yahia Abedelmajeed Mahmoud Berjawi, have been placed in solitary confinement in Marka Prison in Amman. They have been detained since July 29, 2024, and are not permitted to communicate with other inmates. This measure was reportedly taken to prevent the dissemination of their religious beliefs within the prison. The individuals were arrested in the Tla Ali district of Amman while sharing their beliefs, including the appearance of Imam Mahdi and the true location of the Kaaba. They face charges of "insulting religious feelings of others" and "inciting sectarian strife."
Additionally, another member, Maryam Jabir Sabir Al-Debaji, was initially scheduled for release. However, her release was postponed and subsequently denied by the governor of Amman after she affirmed her beliefs. Maryam was later considered for release on bail but was returned to detention following a second meeting with the mayor of Amman, where she once again insisted on her beliefs. She remains in detention.
UPDATE 29th of July 2024- Five Jordanian members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light were charged yesterday by the public prosecutor of the North Amman Court of First Instance with "insulting religious feelings of others" and "inciting sectarian strife" under articles 278 and 150 of the Jordanian Penal Code. They were sentenced to an initial 15 days in jail, subject to renewal.
The interrogation, conducted by both the public prosecutor and national intelligence, accused the members of sectarianism and insulting Islam, specifically citing their belief that the true location of the Kaaba is in Petra, Jordan, rather than Saudi Arabia. One bystander was not charged and was supposed to be released, but upon further interrogation by the governor of Amman, and after declaring her belief in the Ahmadi Religion and her stance on the Kaaba, she was ordered back into detention.
Several human rights organizations have expressed concerns about the increasing restrictions on freedom of religion in Jordan and the use of articles 278 and 150 to limit freedom of expression and religious practice.
The members were arrested on July 25 while distributing flyers and engaging in missionary activities in the Tla Ali district of Amman. They also expressed support for their Azerbaijani fellow members, who were recently detained in Azerbaijan for similar activities.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has condemned these actions and is calling for the immediate release of its members in both countries and for all charges against them to be dropped.
UPDATE 26th of July 2024 - The six believers were taken to the General Intelligence Department (GID) in Amman, Jordan. They are being interrogated and are being investigated for causing public disorder. The interrogators will decide if they will be tried at military or civil court.
Amman, Jordan, 25th of July 2024 - In a significant development today, six believers took to the streets of the Tla al-Ali District in Amman to show their solidarity with two Azeri believers who have been sentenced to prison in Azerbaijan for distributing flyers. The demonstrators, identified as Issa Mahmoud Abd Al-Rahman Abu Shahin, Maryam Jabir Sabir Al-Debaij, Omar Mahmoud Abd Al-Rahman Abu Shahin, Yahia Abedelmajeed Mahmoud Berjawi, and Yahya Hassan Abdullah Jabir, were seen handing out flyers about the leaders of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light Aba Al-Sadiq and engaging in missionary works with bystanders. They carried images of Aba Al-Sadiq and Ahmed Al-Hassan as well as a sign saying "Free our brothers and sisters in faith in Azerbaijan".
The peaceful protest, which was live-streamed on TikTok, lasted only five minutes before several police cars arrived at the scene. The live feed shows that the police officers acted with excessive force, brutally pushing the AROPL members into police vehicles. Among those arrested was 45-year-old Maryam Jabir Sabir Al-Debaij.
The detained individuals are currently being held at the Tla al-Ali Police Station pending further investigation. This incident raises concerns about the freedom of expression and the treatment of peaceful protesters in Jordan.
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