Philippines: AROPL Believers Report Persecution Following Public Declaration of Faith

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 social media posts immediately after pledging allegiance to Abdullah Hashem. Members claim that since embracing the AROPL faith, they have experienced verbal abuse, accusations of being “kafirs,” and even death threats from individuals in their community, because they follow a different faith. Pamaran, one of the group’s members, said:

“My heart aches for those who persecute others because of their faith. It is deeply saddening that anyone would inflict pain and suffering on someone simply for believing differently. Persecution only breeds more hatred and division. We urge people to engage in dialogue and understanding. Every person deserves respect and dignity, regardless of their faith.”

Abdurrahman D. Hadjinoor is one of the Filipino believers who was humiliated by a Filipino Sunni Muslim, who posted his video of pledge of allegiance to the Mahdi, saying: “Nasa tamang landas ng islam nagpunta pa sa yahodee aropl na agama. From nasa tamang islam na nagpunta pa sa kulto na ginawa ng mossad yahodee. ISIS symbol and ISIS sign ang gknawa niya. Black banner din tulad sa ISIS na black flag para pagdating ng imam mahdi aswf na may black flag ay sasabihin nila na terrorist siya at yahodee mga tao niya kasi parehas na black flag. Astagfirullah!”

“He was already on the right path of Islam, but went to the Jewish-made religion. From being in the right, Islam, he went to a cult created by Mossad (Jews). He used the ISIS symbol and the ISIS sign. He also used a black banner like the ISIS black flag, so that when Imam Mahdi comes carrying a black flag, they will call him a terrorist and say his followers are Jews because they both use black flags. Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah)!” (Translation)

Filipino individuals opposing the faith have reportedly posted defamatory statements and accusations against AROPL’s leader, Abdullah Hashem, known to followers as Aba Al Sadiq. They have also mocked AROPL followers, calling them “stupid,” “uneducated,” and “terrorists” solely because of their beliefs. These posts went beyond personal opinion, crossing into harassment and public defamation, and have sparked fear and frustration among believers.

Pagadian City is located in the Zamboanga Peninsula, a distinct geographical region on the island of Mindanao. Mindanao serves as the primary center of Islam in the Philippines, home to 93% of the country’s Muslim population. Muslims in the region are predominantly Sunni, following traditional Sunni practices.

Filipino AROPL believers are calling for peace, tolerance, and mutual respect, urging local communities to promote understanding and coexistence among people of diverse faiths.