The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light at a Conference in the University of Exeter

On April 30, 2025, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, represented by Human Rights Coordinator Hadil Elkhouly, attended the conference on Religious Minorities at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Elkhouly, who also served as one of the event's speakers, was accompanied by her team to this important interdisciplinary hybrid conference. Organized by Dr. Vadim Atnashev from Exeter Law School, the event brought together scholars, experts, and representatives from various religious communities and NGOs to address critical issues in the ongoing struggle for religious freedom.

The conference featured a lecture by a group of religious studies professors from the United Kingdom in the morning, focusing on the human rights violations faced by religious minorities worldwide. In the afternoon, Professor Massimo Introvigne from CESNUR (Italy) delivered a presentation on the theme of "Repression of Religious Minorities in Iran and the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light." His talk highlighted the persecution of the AROPL community, with particular attention given to the recent murders of two members in Kenya and Somalia, and the imprisonment of believers in Egypt.

The event featured three speakers who provided key insights into the persecution of the AROP community.

Hadil Elkhouly a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and Amnesty International’s Country Coordinator for Algeria and Libya, presented an emic perspective on the persecution of the AROPL. She explored the eschatological beliefs of the AROPL, which view themselves as followers of a "strange" but authentic Islam that will restore the original divine message. El-Khouly discussed the theological tenets of the AROPL, including their unique interpretations of the Kaaba’s location, the Quran, and Islamic practices, and how these beliefs lead to their labeling as heretics and the resulting persecution they endure.

Massimo Introvigne, former Professor of Sociology of Religion at Pontifical Salesian University in Torino, Italy, explored the repression of religious minorities in Iran, focusing on the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL). He detailed the emergence of AROPL from Twelver Shia Islam, its millenarian and esoteric origins, and the harsh persecution faced by its followers in Iran. Introvigne highlighted the movement’s struggle for recognition and the asylum-seeking efforts of its members fleeing repression.

Rosita Šorytė, a human rights specialist and former diplomat, provided a comprehensive look at the persecution of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in various countries. Šorytė discussed the unique beliefs of AROPL, including their reinterpreted views on Islam, and the resulting discrimination faced by its followers in both Muslim-majority and secular countries. From violent repression in Malaysia to mistreatment at European borders, she underscored the global challenges AROPL members face, particularly in their advocacy for LGBTQ rights and their rejection of orthodox Islamic practices.

In line with the ongoing global struggle for religious freedom, the conference highlighted the broader context of religious persecution. According to Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion." This fundamental right has been enshrined in international law by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), and is protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.

However, despite these protections, over 80% of the world's population still lives in countries where religious freedom is restricted or repressed. These violations of religious freedom are multifaceted and require the attention of governments, academia, and societies at large. The conference at Exeter University, organized by Exeter Law School and sponsored by the MEJORA Foundation and the Human Rights & Democracy Forum, provided a platform to discuss key issues such as government restrictions, social hostilities, and best practices for promoting religious freedom.