They Heard the Mahdi Had Appeared. Then They Packed Their Bags.

They showed up in Crewe with their suitcases, having left behind their homes and familiar lives in France. What drew them there—and what have they found since arriving?

In the aftermath of the raid on Abdullah Hashem and his community in the UK, believers from different parts of the world felt called to come, help the community in its time of need, and stand in support of the Qaim of the Family of Mohammad.

Among those who boarded a flight to the UK were seven brothers from France. In the months since, they have become part of the community and begun a new chapter of their lives.

So, who are they? What made them pack their bags and come—and how has life changed since they arrived?

Let’s meet them.

Yacine

As soon as he heard about the raid, he called some brothers and asked them if they wished to pack their bags and go to the UK to support the Qaim and his community.

Among the brothers who answered the call, two decided to stay permanently with the community. These two brothers are Rayane and Mehmet, whom we will meet shortly.

Yacine had lived with the ansar in the UK for a few months last year, while also spending periods of time in France. He previously worked as a bus driver and a physical trainer. He is also a boxing coach and animator, but first and foremost he is a truth seeker. He went from Sunnism to the Shia faith. He even spent some time as an active member of the ‘Centre Zahra,’ a renowned Twelver Shiia centre in northern France.

When he read The Goal of the Wise, his vision of religion changed completely, and he decided to introduce others to the book by reading it live on TikTok. Many people followed his educational approach to religion.

Since joining the Mahdi's community in Crewe, Yacine has been very proactive. He shares his boxing skills with his brothers and also gives his time to patrol the property and help keep it secure during these difficult times, amid numerous demonstrations and incidents of violence in front of Webb House. Throughout it all, he remains peaceful and calm, helping to protect everyone.

Rayane

“I swear that I love you all as I love Aba Al-Sadiq…”

Rayane is a young Frenchman of Moroccan origin. He discovered the dawa two years ago and spent much of his time distributing flyers and doing missionary work to people in France. He decided to migrate or make "hijra" after the arrest of Aba Al-Sadiq. It was then that he decided to give up everything and stand by his guide, who was in danger and being attacked from every side.

Since arriving, Rayane has truly changed. He went from being a very introverted and shy young man to someone lively, active, smiling and full of joy and always ready to help anyone.

He has now been living with the Qaim’s community for four months, and he is extremely proud and happy to be there.

In one of his latest messages in the group of believers, he spoke with passion:

“Months before the raid, I had sent a message to Aba Al-Sadiq [from him is peace]. God knows to what extent I was still immersed in the dunya, and I didn't really have any idea of the moment when I would come. He replied to me in this message that soon I would be among his own. It was the happiest day of my life. I was convinced that what Aba Al-Sadiq [from him is peace] had said was not just words in the wind.

Today, I understand more and more that Aba Al-Sadiq [from him is peace] is revelation itself. Subhanallah, Aba Al-Sadiq delivered me from modern slavery and from a life without purpose. Aba Al-Sadiq made me a free man with a real goal. And because of this, it has been four months that I feel my existence truly serves a purpose, whereas before, I felt useless. It has now been four months that I am among the best community in the world, that I am with the messengers and prophets, that I am with my true soul family. Four months in which I am a dignified man participating in the State of God and not the state of Iblis.

I wanted to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, that I love you like I love Aba Al-Sadiq [from him is peace], and that I wish to die for you as I wish to die for Aba Al-Sadiq.

And I am making this message out of gratitude towards Allah, remembering this word of Allah: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in blessing]," and to remind the believers of the truthfulness of all the words of Aba Al-Sadiq. Aba Al-Sadiq promised it: we will triumph. Let us simply be united and everything will work out for the best…”

Mehmet

A few days after the raid, another brother from France followed Yacine and Rayane to England. As soon as the brothers heard about the raid, they decided to come to England to protest alongside and help the community.

Mehmet is one of the most determined brothers who came from France. He came to help, and from his first day, he has not stopped supporting the community: building furniture, painting, fixing things, and doing anything he can to help those who were displaced and forced to leave their homes after the raid.

Mehmet tells us about his first months:

“I am now in my fifth month of living within this community…”

For me, having the chance to be at the service of the Messenger of God of our time is something wonderful. But what perhaps affects me even more is being able to share this path with my brothers and sisters.

Here, I have learned a lot of things...but above all, I have learned to question myself. To look at my own faults, to become more humble, wiser, more patient. I understood that serving is not only acting... it is also learning to obey, to give of oneself and to remain determined, even when things become difficult.

And then there is love.

I see love and sincerity in my brothers and sisters. I feel a peace that I have trouble explaining with words. And in the middle of all this, I feel a light...a light that grows in me.

These months spent here have shown me that this community is not just a place where I live. It is an experience that transforms me every day, that teaches me to love more, to serve with sincerity and to move forward with determination.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank God and Aba Al-Sadiq, from him is peace, for this experience, for everything I learn here, and for the chance to move forward on this path with love, peace and light.”

These three brothers inspired others to come.

Martin

Martin is one of the most kind-hearted brothers who has come to join the community. His story is also an example of the transformations taking place within the community.

Martin comes from a difficult background. He had lived on the streets for years. When he encountered the dawa, he was in a difficult situation. He had to break away from it and escape, as the narration states:

O Amer, if you hear the black banners of the East and you are in a locked box, then break this lock and this box… 

That is what Martin did. One day, he flew to join his Imam, leaving France behind and dedicating his life to the Mahdi.

Martin was a heavy smoker, but decided to stop in order to be in good health for the sake of God. He has now almost completely quit smoking and is very proud and happy about it.

He helps around the religious centre, sometimes making coffee in the café, and is always there to lend a hand to anyone who asks.

“I have been with my family for two and a half months now. I feel deeply good with my siblings. I left a lot of things behind me in order to follow what I consider my destiny and to move forward on this path with sincerity.

I thank all the brothers and sisters from the bottom of my heart who welcomed me among them, who opened their doors to me and who allowed me to find a real family.

I also thank my guide, my Imam, the one I consider my true prayer and my path to Allah: Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, may peace be upon him.”

Salim and Alexandre

Salim and Alexandre were with Martin in France before he came to the UK. They wanted to help the ansar in France.

Alexandre decided to open his door to any ansar in need of a place to stay for a few weeks. After meeting the ansar of Aba Al-Sadiq and hosting them with such generosity that word of his hospitality reached the community in England, he and Salim decided to join the community and fly to England to support Aba Al-Sadiq in person.

Here is how Alexandre came to this dawa:

“One day in 2024, I took the time to listen to one of Aba Al-Sadiq’s videos, The Clarification Sermon. That day, I was overwhelmed; my body shook. I had heard my Father’s voice. I had heard, for the first time, a man named Abdullah who claimed the Will of RassoulouLlah. I immediately believed his words. Everything sounded true.

From there, I began investigating seriously, listening to the videos again and reading The Goal of the Wise. The ansar often talked to me and supported me throughout this journey, until November 25, 2025, when I pledged allegiance to Allah.”

About his life within the community, he says: “It is simply the best of all the communities in the world: magnificent brothers and sisters, full of faith and with an unshakeable conviction. I learn to be of service to my brothers and sisters. I learn every day to love them and be with them at all times.

We take the time to talk, dialogue and get to know each other, and also to see the great qualities that we all have. I see a united people even in difficulties.

After more than a month, I feel a change in myself. I grow closer to God every day. However little I do, I try to act righteously and combat the soldiers of ignorance within myself. I love all my brothers and sisters. I love you, my Father.”

Alexandre and Salim arrived two months ago and have been remarkably devoted, working day and night for the dawa, even though no one asked them to.

They have also brought their knowledge and ideas to a number of online dawa projects.

Alexandre is a website designer, and he has built an entire online platform for the dawa that has just been released.

As soon as he arrived, he also put his car at the disposal of the community, which was much needed as the community adapted to new living arrangements following the raid.

Salim has also created a blog for the online dawa and is working on a project to automatically translate videos into different languages, which is particularly useful for a dawa with ansar from all over the world.

Aside from that, Salim also helps in the kitchen when he has free time, as he was a cook and has a lot of experience. This new chapter is particularly significant for him because he lives with a rare illness that struck him a few years ago. He too was in a difficult and complex situation, but he decided to take a big step and join the Qaim and his community.

After having spent much time organising marches and protests in France, he is now with us and is surely one of the happiest and most cheerful people here.

He says:

“Since I joined the family, I have been getting to know each of these beautiful souls, but above all, I am learning to know myself. I am learning to look within myself with more sincerity. This path teaches me that the greatest struggle is inside: gradually crushing the ‘me first’ to leave more room for the soldiers of the intellect and become, day after day, a better version of myself.”

Raphael 

A few days ago, another French brother, Raphael, decided to join the community. He felt he could no longer remain in France while his Imam and the community were facing such difficult circumstances. He wanted to come and offer his support, and dedicate his life to this cause.

Raphael was born in the Comoros in 1984. He then lived in France and became a baker and a father of five. He was already divorced when he encountered the call, and his decision to leave France meant making the painful choice to live apart from his five children in order to join the community.

This choice was difficult for him, as it has been for others with children, such as Salim, but these brothers have made a choice they do not regret.

He tells us about his arrival:

“I left France on September 8. By the grace of God, the journey went smoothly. My arrival in my holy family was magnificent. I was welcomed by about twenty of my brothers and sisters, who showed me great love and made me feel the joy they felt at seeing me join them.

God is witness that I was very happy and very proud to finally belong to this holy family. May Allah never again turn my eyes away from you. I love you.”

He has only just arrived, but he has already made an impression through his goodness, humility and kindness. His happiness at being here is clear to see.

These seven brothers heard the call. When they learned what Aba Al-Sadiq and the ansar were facing in a foreign country, they packed their bags and came to stand beside them. For them, this is the beauty of the call: a community whose members are willing to cross borders to support one another.

Their lives are dedicated to one another and to the service of the Qaim of the family of Mohammed. This is the life they have chosen: one of brotherhood, service and devotion. And it is the life they say they would choose again—for the community they now call family and for Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, from him is peace.