Op-Ed: The Rapid Rise in Interest From The Alawite Sect In Syria

Sermad Al-Khafaji takes a look at the recent rise in the popularity of the teachings of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Syria—especially within Alawite circles.

The conflict in Syria has created such extreme conditions that many indigenous people are now forced to question and better understand their own circumstances. With no guidance from their leaders and facing escalating violence—often simply for holding different beliefs—many have turned to the words and teachings of the Riser Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq for solace. Deeply moved by his message, they now feel compelled to share their experiences with others and work to spread the words “Allegiance is to Allah.”

This initiative is exemplified by the Facebook page “The Mahdi in the Alawite method.” “المهدي في نهج العلويين.” set up to raise awareness locally in Syria. For the purposes of this article I have managed to get access to the Messenger to Syria and the Levant, Ahmed Hallal and his co-host Mahmoud Al-Quersh on The Mahdi Has Appeared satellite channel which broadcasts across the Middle East and North Africa on Nilesat 11096 H27500. Mahmoud is the Messenger responsible for Egypt. Together they host a show on the satellite channel called “ظهر صاحب مصر”  “The Companion of Egypt Appeared” which broadcasts daily with content relevant to Egypt and Sunni Muslims.

Amid Syria’s chaos, Alawites find hope in the Riser Aba Al-Sadiq (FHIP), openly declaring allegiance despite deadly risks. A spiritual revolution rises from the ashes.

As part of their preparation work, they tend to research various sources for their shows. Recently, they began delving into Nusayri Alawite sources of evidence and, in doing so, managed to uncover a treasure trove of proofs that unequivocally support Abdullah Hashem in his claims regarding being appointed by the Prophet Mohammed in the Holy Will he left on the day he passed away.

Ahmed Hallal and his co-host Mahmoud Al-Quersh on The Mahdi Has Appeared satellite channel which broadcasts to over 70 Million homes in the MENA Region.

This effort has sparked a wave of fear driven panic and condemnation from influential personas on social media platforms. One example - translated from Arabic for the sake of this article - states:

“Return to Allah. Britain is preparing a fake awaited Mahdi in fear of the real Mahdi from Allah. They stole the manuscripts and everything and they learned everything. And from their fear they will create the British Mahdi. Do not believe what you see because the real Mahdi will be given oaths of allegiance by the people between the “Rukn” (corner) and “Maqam” (standing place)... Beware my Muslim brothers. There is no God but Allah.”

A response is seen below this message from one of the believers stating:

“The coming true of one of the end times prophecies. The appearance of the Mahdi from Britain. If you like, we can open an office for you in Syria by God…” 

This brazen response shows the general attitude displayed by the members of the fath in Syria. The fear seems to be shifting to a defiant pride in knowing the hidden truth kept under wraps by these so-called scholars of Islam. The wave of support seen from the recent Alawite drive indicates that the collective consciousness of the people is coming to terms with the fact that, for so long, the religious authorities have kept them in ignorance on this matter in particular. The result has been a rapid increase in attention paid to the content emanating from this call through various social media platforms, along with an influx of pledges of allegiance in recent weeks. Against a terrifying backdrop of violent uncertainty and the widespread rule of militias and armed gangs targeting Alawites and Shias across Syria, we see a courageous and dignified spiritual rise from these persecuted, oppressed groups who are willing to openly and defiantly declare their faith in Abdullah Hashem, “the Mahdi from Britain.”

Despite this wave of interest and support emanating from the Alawite communities in Syria, we are still witnessing a careful approach to how the information is shared on the Facebook page and in the videos we have received of pledges of allegiance, due to the life-threatening situation in Syria. Since the fall of the Al-Assad regime—widely known to be Alawite in doctrinal belief—the Alawites of Syria have had no recourse or protection from the atrocities committed by those who fought the previous regime. The only sources of protection remaining for the Alawites are the scholars who supposedly represent them. With Ahmed Al-Sharaa as the president of Syria, the Alawites now see their custodians making deals and working with the newly established regime, and this is viewed as treacherous by the very people they claim to represent.

Over the past few weeks, AROPL studios TV-presenter Ahmed Hallal has reported an unusual surge in contact from Syrians declaring their faith in the Mahdi Aba Al-Sadiq, all agreeing that there is nobody else speaking what they are thinking and feeling on the ground in Syria—only this religion. Most who pledge their allegiance are forced to practise dissimulation (Taqiya) for their own safety due to the tightened persecution by the governing forces.

Abul Sadiq, a Jordanian influencer who has openly criticised Aba Al-Sadiq and the Ahmadi Religion of Peace & Light, has only bolstered AROPL members Facebook views over the last days.

All this attention has driven the expected hidden forces to seemingly direct a wave of condemnation from leading popular influencer social media accounts. One of the leading influencer accounts has a following of more than 1.8 million followers on Facebook and uses the name "Abul Sadiq". This influencer seems to have a large following on YouTube and Facebook, usually releasing videos on both platforms simultaneously. There is, however, an exception to this rule: he posted a video recently on YouTube and then, four months later, reuploaded the same video on Facebook to coincide with the unprecedented influx of interest coming from Syria.

Another private group page on Facebook called The Islamic Alawite Sect Scholars has been fairly vocal in attempting to discredit The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and in particular Abdullah Hashem “the Mahdi from Britain”.

All this attention has resulted in the dramatic increase in interaction seen on The Mahdi Has Appeared TV Facebook page with a massive rise in views amassed so far in December alone. In the last two weeks, the Arabic social media platforms for The Mahdi Has Appeared have seen upwards of two million views collectively. Posts on this Facebook page usually attract several thousand views, generally ranging between 25,000 and 100,000 per post. A single post addressing the Alawite religious scholars attracted more than 238,000 views. In the entire month of November, the Facebook page achieved overall views of 955,000, which is fairly average for the page. As of the 9th of December, the Facebook page has received well over 1,200,000 views, which bodes well for this month.

The increased attention is only raising the profile of Abdullah Hashem in ever-growing circles, and his message is attracting the oppressed and those who have lost hope in the very institutions designated as protectors to safeguard their beliefs and ways of life. His message resonates with anyone seriously and sincerely seeking a connection with the Almighty God from all walks of life.