It is Raining AROPL Flyers on Eid in Malaysia

Mon, March 31, 2025 - In a striking act of defiance against religious censorship, thousands of flyers were dropped from a drone over Malaysia during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, each announcing the arrival of Imam Mahdi. The flyers contained a QR code linking to the Malay social media channels of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light—an unprecedented move in response to the sweeping ban imposed on the religion’s digital presence.

The dramatic event unfolded after Malaysian authorities took stringent measures to suppress the religion's outreach. On March 7, 2024, Datuk Dr. Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, the Religious Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), declared that the teachings of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light were contrary to Islamic Sharia. His office pledged to eradicate all online content promoting the religion to prevent public exposure.

By March 9, 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had followed through, blocking the group’s social media accounts and taking down pages spreading its content. This digital purge came at the explicit request of the Religious Affairs Minister, who also called for police intervention, citing concerns over the religion’s growing audience—reaching up to 200,000 views per broadcast on TikTok before the ban. By now, the Tiktok and Youtube channels of the faith have been banned several times. And even the Divine Just State Magazine can not be viewed by anyone living in Malaysia.

Despite these efforts, the recent flyer campaign signals that censorship alone cannot suppress the spread of ideas. Eyewitnesses described a flurry of paper descending upon congregants during the Eid celebrations. The QR code embedded within the flyers swiftly led those who scanned it to the group’s new digital platforms, circumventing state-imposed restrictions.

As governments seek to control the flow of religious discourse in the digital age, movements like the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are demonstrating a capacity to adapt and innovate.

The Malaysian government has yet to officially comment on the drone incident. However, religious authorities are likely to see this act as a direct challenge to their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light see it as a victory—a testament to their belief that the message of their faith will find its way to those who seek it, regardless of the obstacles in its path.