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The majority of the world is facing a cost of living crisis, with many working people unable to afford basic necessities like housing, and the number of homeless people is on the rise. Houses that were once affordable now cost hundreds of thousands, and people work and save for their whole lives to pay off mortgages. There are 300,000 homeless people in the UK and over one million empty homes in England alone. With the rate of empty houses increasing, there are clearly enough homes for everyone. Furthermore, one-third of the food produced globally for human consumption is wasted, while nine million people dying of starvation per year. So, why has owning a home and affording a basic quality of life become so unattainable for the majority of people and reserved only for the rich? Valueless Currency and its Price The paper and electronic currency we use today is intrinsically valueless. The paper note itself is a note that recognizes a debt, similar to a handwritten contract. It is not backed by anything real and depends on the government to uphold the debt.  British Bank note stating "I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of ten pounds" Long ago, banks persuaded people to deposit their gold and silver and use paper notes instead, as they were easier to carry and trade. Over time, banks stopped giving out the gold and silver that backed these notes. This allowed them to print more money, giving them full financial control and causing the inflation we see today, making the cost of living unaffordable. Banks lending this printed money drove up prices much faster than wages increased, reducing the value of the money in circulation. As a result, people couldn't afford housing or basic necessities despite working. This shifted wealth from the poor to the rich, empowering banks and ultra-rich corporations, and leaving most people struggling financially. The fact that fiat money has no real value is not a hidden matter; it is known, and information about it can be found easily. Modern Treasury has stated : "Since the official end of the gold standard in 1971, US fiat currency has been backed by 'full faith and credit' of the U.S. government." The Corporate Finance Institute also stated something similar : "Fiat currency is not supported by any physical commodity, but by the faith of its holders and virtue of a government declaration." This type of currency, which has no real value backing it, depends on authorities to maintain its worth and gives the central banking system complete control over the economy. This system has proven to be ruthless in its pursuit of profit, allowing the rich to keep getting richer while workers are exploited; creating profit for their employers without receiving a fair share for their own labor. Banks can create and lend unlimited amounts of money as long as there are borrowers. They create money from nothing and lend it at high interest rates. This creates an unbreakable structure where every government and individual eventually owes money to the financial elite. The owners of banks and central banks are at the top of the global power hierarchy. In the UK, people pay almost 200 million British pounds in interest to banks every day, which only serves to move money from the bottom to the top of the pyramid. This system allows financial elites to control the population, multinational corporations, and governments. Bartering and the History of Money Before money existed, people used bartering—the direct exchange of goods and services without currency. This ancient form of trade dates back to the earliest human societies, where individuals and groups met their needs and desires by exchanging items they possessed for those they lacked.  In the time of Adam and Eve, as recorded in the Abrahamic faiths there was no such thing as money or currency. Cain became a tiller of the ground and Abel a keeper of sheep. During this time the people practised bartering, working and fulfilling each other's needs. From the beginning mankind was supposed to benefit each other according to the profession each had and contribute to the wider society in this system of bartering. Many are aware of the story of Cain murdering Abel out of jealousy, however not all know about what Cain did afterwards which influenced later generations of mankind until today. “Cain endeavoured to immortalise his name by means of monuments, and he became a builder of cities. The first of them he called Enoch, after his son, because it was at the birth of Enoch that he began to enjoy a measure of rest and peace. Besides, he founded six other cities. This building of cities was a godless deed, for he surrounded them with a wall, forcing his family to remain within. All his other doings were equally impious. The punishment God had ordained for him did not affect any improvement. He sinned in order to secure his own pleasure, though his neighbours suffered injury thereby. ... He also introduced a change in the ways of simplicity wherein men had lived before, and he was the author of measures and weights. And whereas men lived innocently and generously while they knew nothing of such arts, he changed the world into cunning craftiness. Like unto Cain were all his descendants, impious and godless, wherefore God resolved to destroy them.” (The Legends of the Jews, Louis Ginzberg, Vol. 1, Chapter 3, p. 115-116) Cain changed the “simplicity wherein men had lived before and he was the author of measure and weights.” The corrupt capitalist system that we live in today was born out of the greed of Cain and his descendents, it was never how God intended  humanity to live. Bartering, unlike the current monetary system, eliminates the need for a centralised authority to control the flow of money. It encourages direct and fair exchanges, creating a sense of community and cooperation. In a bartering system, goods and services are traded based on their intrinsic value, not on artificial valuations imposed by market forces or manipulated by financial institutions. This leads to more stable and fair transactions, reducing the disparities seen in modern economies. Removing money means that it is not possible for people to accumulate wealth in the same way and to profit from the work of other people.  “The Goal of the Wise” states that in the Divine Just State money will be abolished and that every transaction will be backed by gold and silver until even that becomes worthless: “The Imam (From Him is Peace) said, “Money and gold and other than that shall not have any value at that time, and people shall not care about it.’ I [Aba Al-Sadiq] said, ‘So everyone shall be comfortable, and they will worship God?’ The Imam (From Him is Peace) said, ‘There shall not remain a single person in need, nor a hungry person then.’” (The Goal of the Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 33, p. 439) After this everyone will work to contribute to the state and have all their needs provided for — for free. “The plumber works to better society and serve it and has access to everything he needs for free. The doctor in turn does his part and so does the lumberjack or the engineer or the teacher or the fireman. A society where no one must chase money, for money has no value, and all people are entitled to everything, and everyone works not for money but for the honor of contributing to mankind. People at that time will be motivated by honor and love of country and mankind, and not by greed and love of the self and the world.” (The Goal of the Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 33, p. 440) God has provided more than enough sustenance for everyone to have what they need for survival and to live a comfortable life. Imam Ali said: “Allah ordained that the livelihood of the poor is in the wealth of the rich. Whenever a poor man is hungry it is because of what a rich man has enjoyed; and Allah will question them about it.” (Mizan Al-Hikmah, Mohammed Al-Reyshahri, Vol. 3, p. 2308) It makes no sense that people continue to struggle so much to afford basic necessities . The power of the financial elite is based on an illusion and relies on the participation of the majority. There is no need for the people to continue propping up this system that allows others to oppress them and only benefits a very small minority of selfish people to have much more than they need.

Plato and Socrates are among history's most influential philosophers, and their teachings are revered and studied worldwide. “The Republic” by Plato outlines socrates’ vision of true justice and the ideal society for mankind to live in. Despite being from Athens, the birthplace of democracy, they strongly opposed the democratic system, believing it led to injustice and oppression. What is Justice? In his discussions on true justice, Socrates engages with several scholars of his time with different ideas of the definition of justice such as,  giving each what is owed to them, giving to each what is appropriate or what is advantageous for the stronger. Socrates refutes them all - he maintains that to give each what is owed to them cannot be justice as returning a borrowed knife to a madman is not just, despite owing it to him; doing good to friends and harm to enemies would create more injustice, and what is advantageous for the stronger leads to injustice and oppression for the majority. After consideration Socrates asserts that true justice is "putting everything in its right place." He believed that different people had different natures, and true justice meant that people should live according to their nature. For someone whose nature is suited to being a doctor, it would be unjust to work as a farmer, and vice versa. “Each one man must perform one social service in the state for which his nature is best adapted...and again that to do one's own business and not to be a busybody is justice.” (The Republic, Plato, Book 4) This is the same definition of Justice that all of the Prophets and Messengers taught and a message shared by Ahmed Al-Hassan, “Justice means placing something into its right place.” (The Book of Monotheism, Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, p. 47) He envisioned an ideal just society composed of three distinct classes; the producing class, the guardian class, and the ruling class led by a philosopher king. The producing class would supply the guardian class with food, clothing, and other necessities, while the guardians would protect the producers and uphold the state. The philosopher-king, possessing the wisdom to understand what is best for everyone, would assign each person to the role best suited to their nature. In this structure, everyone lives comfortably, with everything they need provided to them, fulfilling the job they are most suited for and passionate about, fostering a harmonious and peaceful existence for all. Each class would focus solely on its duties, protecting the ruling class from corruption by special interests and preventing the producing class from pursuing self-serving political goals. The philosopher king would prioritise the interests of the people over personal gain, ensuring a just and balanced society. Why is this the Only Way to have Justice? The Republic outlines different possibilities for governmental systems, including Timocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy, and Tyranny. Socrates states that due to the human tendency toward corruption, these systems will be cyclical and eventually end in Tyranny before the cycle starts again. He believes that the most just system is Aristocracy under a Philosopher King, who are the most just and least susceptible to corruption. Despite the fact that today it is the most popular and widely accepted political system, in “The Republic” Plato and Socrates strongly oppose the idea of democracy, stating that it would lead to “Mob rule” and Tyranny.  How does democracy lead to so much corruption and oppression when people have the ability to choose their own rulers? The Quran states, “If you follow the majority of people on the earth, they will lead you astray from the path of God.” (Qur'an, Chapter 6 (Al-Anaam), Verse 116) It is a system rooted in selfishness and democratically elected leaders, while claiming to have the interests of the people in mind, often exploit the system for their own interests leading to inequality and injustice. Electing their own leaders only provides people with an illusion of power and control while in reality they are choosing their own oppression. At the crucifixion of Jesus Christ the people were given the option to vote to save him, but unanimously voted instead to save a criminal named Baraba and condemn Jesus to a painful death, proving that humanity does not have the required skills to choose what is right. Socrates also argues that Democracy leads to the election of Tyrannical Demagogues who claim to be for the common people and often use tactics of scapegoating against minority groups. These individuals often have charismatic personalities and are powerful public speakers and are able to gain fanatical majority support and their leadership often results in extreme injustice. The Philosopher King What distinguishes the philosopher king from others? To understand this, we must consider Plato's theory of forms. Plato suggests that the world we inhabit is a flawed copy of the true world, which he calls the World of Forms. In this realm, everything is non-physical, eternal, perfect, and immutable, in contrast to our physical world, where things are transient, physical, mutable, and imperfect. To explain the world of forms, Plato presents the allegory of the cave. In this allegory, a group of people are chained inside a cave, facing a wall, unable to see anything else. Shadows are cast on the wall by objects passing in front of a fire behind them. These shadows are the only reality the prisoners know, but they are mere distortions of true reality. The shadows symbolise the limited and deceptive perceptions we gather through our senses. According to Socrates, the philosopher is like a prisoner who has been freed from the cave and has witnessed the true reality outside, beyond the sensory limitations. This outside world, the world of forms, represents the ultimate truth, unlike the illusory material world most people are confined to. The Philosopher King is the One Appointed by God In his Gospel, “The Goal of the Wise,” Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem has revealed that Socrates and Plato were both from the 124 thousand prophets of God, and that the Philosopher king they spoke of was a divinely appointed prophet, messenger or vicegerent.  “And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you.” (Qur'an, Chapter 40 (Ghafir), Verse 78) Like all the prophets and messengers they envisioned and worked towards the ideal society where God would rule through his appointed Philosopher King.  The ultimate truth that is known by the Philosopher King is something that can only be known by God, so the only one who has awareness of the ultimate truth must be the one who has knowledge from God, the divinely appointed Imam who has the holy spirit. This king who is appointed by God and inspired by God is incapable of misguiding people, making mistakes or choosing his own needs over the needs of the people, he is the only one capable of guiding the people out of the cave. Socrates states, “Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy... cities will never have rest from their evils,—nor the human race, as I believe,—and then only will this our State have a possibility of life and behold the light of day.” (The Republic, Plato, Book 5) The current world operates under a survival of the strongest mentality, largely governed by democracy or tyranny, leading to the widespread oppression we see today. God never intended for humanity to live under tyrants in a world of corruption and oppression. True justice and freedom from oppression can only be achieved through the leadership of a philosopher king, the divinely appointed caliph of God. Following this divinely appointed king is the essence of religion, which has been lost and replaced by rules and rituals in mainstream practices. “Thus, Monotheism is tied to the Caliphs of Allah with a very tight bond, rather, if we very accurately checked the matter, we would know from what has been presented that Knowing and Monotheism are not possible for the rest of the creation if it weren’t for the first created being, or the First Mind, or Mohammed, who made the creation know Him.” (The Book of Monotheism, Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, p. 40) The  purpose of religion and the message of all the prophets and messengers was to unite humanity under the Supremacy of God and to establish justice and equity on earth by having God rule over humanity through the appointment of divine rulers and messengers.  The Prophet Mohammed said,   "Allah will raise a man from my progeny, from my Ahlul Bayt, by whom the earth will be filled with justice thoroughly the same as it has been filled with injustice and oppression." (Al-Musannaf, Vol. 11, p. 371) This Divine Just State will finally be established by Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, who is the prophesied Qaim of the Family of Mohammed and the Divinely appointed Philosopher king today.

“The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them." (Bible, Book of Ecclesiasticus, Chapter 38, Verse 4) Today the model of excellence in healthcare is undoubtedly the Western medical model. From medical school to completion of training as a specialist, aspiring doctors from the East seek to do at least some part of their training in the West. However, even a cursory glance at the healthcare systems of Western Europe and North America reveal some glaring and irreconcilable problems. Powerful pharmaceutical companies and multibillion-dollar corporations drive the agenda, wielding tremendous political influence over the governance of healthcare globally.  As a doctor I have witnessed first-hand how pharmaceutical companies engage in aggressive marketing tactics to promote their products to healthcare providers, sometimes offering incentives or kickbacks in exchange for prescribing their medications. This can influence healthcare professionals prescribing behaviour and lead to over-prescribing or inappropriate use of medications. Pharmaceutical companies may also establish ethically questionable relationships with key healthcare professionals and policymakers through consulting fees, speaking engagements, or sponsored trips. These relationships can create conflicts of interest that may compromise the objectivity and integrity of decision-making. Then there is the pricing of medications by pharmaceutical companies, which can be unnecessarily excessive, leading to high healthcare costs for patients. Companies frequently engage in tactics such as “price gouging” or setting high prices for essential medications without justification. Vital medications are sold at significantly inflated prices, often exploiting patients' vulnerability and need for medical care. One famous example of this is the case of EpiPen, a life-saving medication used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). In recent years, the price of EpiPen, manufactured by a Mylan, increased dramatically, drawing widespread public criticism and outcry. Mylan acquired the rights to EpiPen in 2007 and subsequently raised the price of a two-pack of EpiPens from around $100 in 2007 to over $600 in 2016! This sickening price hike is particularly disturbing since the medication itself has not changed in any way and is relatively inexpensive to produce. The example of the EpiPen price-gouging case is unfortunately one of many and clearly demonstrates how pharmaceutical companies exploit their market dominance to maximize profits at the expense of patient access to essential medications.  What about the phenomenon of research bias, where companies nefariously fund clinical research on their own drugs! This inevitably leads to research outcomes which favour the company's products, thus compromising patient care based on potentially misleading information.  Any threat to Big Pharma’s bottom-line is ruthlessly quashed through fear-mongering and campaigns to discredit the natural remedies. Let’s imagine a hypothetical scenario. A pharmaceutical company manufactures a big money-generating drug. They now obviously have a vested interest in ensuring that this drug remains the go-to treatment for a particular condition. Now, let's say that there is a natural remedy that has been gaining popularity among patients for its effectiveness in treating the exact same condition. This natural remedy is inexpensive, widely available, and has little to no side effects compared to their drug. How far do you think pharmaceutical companies are prepared to go to protect their market share and profits?  Is it conceivable that they launched a campaign to discredit the natural remedy? Would they fund studies that aim to show the ineffectiveness or dangers of the natural remedy? Would they use their influence to pressure regulatory bodies or medical organisations to issue statements casting doubt on the safety or efficacy of the natural remedy? Would they leverage their relationships with healthcare providers to discourage them from recommending or prescribing the natural remedy to their patients? Would they invest heavily in marketing efforts to promote their own drug as the superior treatment option? These are of course rhetorical questions, and the fact of the matter is that pharmaceutical companies' ultimate goal is to protect their bottom line and they will go to any lengths to ensure their market dominance. I could go on and on, but there have already been countless exposés done by whistleblowers highlighting the corrupt practices of Big Pharma and other corporations who expertly feed off the most sick and vulnerable members of society. We cannot hide from this disturbing reality and the moral dilemma faced by those working within the healthcare sector. Unfortunately, even those who entered into the healthcare workforce with noble intentions over time become peddlers of the same agenda. The system itself is flawed and by extension, those receiving their livelihood from it eventually become its supporters and defenders – institutionalized is the word I think. What we desperately need is a system reset.     The current model aims to treat people after they become sick. It is a reactive model. However, ask any doctor and they will tell you that ‘prevention is better than cure’. Meanwhile, the current healthcare model is wired completely contrary to this credo, and the hypocrisy serves a clear agenda. For instance, the food and entertainment industries actively promote unhealthy lifestyles and wait for the people to get heart disease and diabetes. The result? Patients go on to take a cocktail of drugs for remainder of their natural lives. This paradigm has been created by mega-rich corporations that are intimately linked and united in their limitless greed. God has a totally different vision for the healthcare of humanity. His Medical System exists within a Divine Just State, ruled by a man who embodies His Holy Spirit. God’s healthcare system is not driven by ever-increasing profit margins designed to keep sick people on medications for the rest of their lives. Healthcare in the Divine Just state uses natural remedies to permanently cure ailments. The unlimited knowledge of God encompasses health and healing and has reached humanity in the past through many of the prophets and messengers such as Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. In this day and age, God sends a man, the Mahdi who is accompanied by the return of all these previous prophets to create a divine revolution in all aspects of human life, not just healthcare.  The Mahdi presides over the Divine Just state and uproots all corrupt and self-serving systems. In the Divine Just State, aging itself is treated like any other illness and is also cured. Death in the Divine Just State is only through traumatic injury (accidents) or killing (murder). Cures for all diseases are made available, free of charge, to one and all. This includes the current so-called incurable diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, etc. Harmful toxins in the environment and food are removed through simple yet ingenious methods. Health and well-being abound and inequality is blotted out. In the Divine Just State, wealth will not be a predictor of a person’s life expectancy and health. Patients will be healed through nutrition, meditation, and exercise.    Now isn’t that a Vision worth supporting?

ATHENS — On the bustling streets of Athens, where ancient ruins meet the hum of modern life, a Jordanian refugee named Ahmed Sokour is quietly making his mark. Armed with stacks of flyers and posters, Sokour is spreading a message he believes can reshape humanity: that the awaited Imam Mahdi has appeared. Sokour, 35, is a missionary of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), a minority faith that claims to embody justice, equality, and humanity-first principles. His path to Athens was paved with persecution, heartbreak, and unshakable devotion to his beliefs. Ahmed's Journey Sokour’s journey began in 2015 in his hometown in Jordan, where he first encountered AROPL through social media. Attracted by the religion’s progressive stance—permitting alcohol, eschewing obligatory headscarves, and challenging traditional dogmas—he secretly converted along with his family. But secrecy did not last long. In 2016, Sokour and his family publicly declared their faith, sparking a cascade of social ostracism. Friends turned to mockery, relatives severed ties, and neighbors saw Sokour and his kin as apostates. In a country steeped in Sunni Islamic traditions, such dissent was unforgivable. The persecution escalated beyond social rejection. The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate summoned Sokour and his brother Amer for questioning. What followed was a harrowing ordeal of beatings, humiliation, and threats. Sokour recounts, "They accused us of being agents of foreign governments and tried to coerce us into renouncing our beliefs on video." Even their home became a target. In 2017, armed relatives stormed their residence, leaving the family to flee Jordan in search of safety. Sokour’s odyssey took him through Turkey, Malaysia and Azerbaijan before he ultimately landed in Athens last year. A Mission in Exile Athens has become Sokour’s haven and his pulpit. Each day, he walks the vibrant streets of Exarchia and Syntagma Square, distributing flyers that proclaim the arrival of Imam Mahdi, a central figure in AROPL’s theology. Sokour views his missionary work as a continuation of the "call to truth," which nearly cost him his life in Jordan. He says, “I’ve lost everything for this faith—my country, my job, my home. But I’ve gained something greater: purpose.” A History of Persecution Sokour’s plight underscores the growing risks faced by members of AROPL, who have become targets of persecution across Muslim-majority countries . The release of the group’s official scripture, The Goal of the Wise , in 2021, intensified crackdowns. The text criticizes Islamic tenants of faith and challenges orthodox interpretations of Islam, making its followers easy prey for state-sanctioned violence and imprisonment. In Jordan, blasphemy laws criminalize any perceived insult to religion, the monarchy, or public morals. Sokour’s social media posts sharing The Goal of the Wise drew the ire of authorities, leading to further interrogations and beatings. For Sokour, Athens is more than a waypoint—it is a new beginning. While he awaits the resolution of his asylum application, he channels his energy into AROPL’s missionary activities. Despite his precarious legal status and the challenges of starting over in a foreign land, Sokour exudes a quiet optimism. He states, “The Mahdi has come to guide us toward a better world. If I can bring even one person to this truth, then all the suffering has been worth it.” In the heart of a city steeped in its own history of philosophical and religious transformation, Sokour’s flyers flutter as symbols of resilience and faith, carrying his message of the Imam Mahdi to anyone willing to listen.

For more than 1,400 years, Muslims have anticipated the arrival of the Qaim or the Mahdi.  They hold a strong and convenient belief that when the Savior of Mankind emerges the Muslims alongside their scholars and leaders, will unanimously recognize and support him, pledging unwavering loyalty and allegiance. However, upon the arrival of the awaited savior, they failed to recognize him, instead rejecting him and labeling him as a liar, blasphemer, heretic, disbeliever, and even the Antichrist Dajjal. From the moment Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq emerged among the people, showcasing his undeniable knowledge and calling for the supremacy of God, and even invoking his name in the Will of Prophet Mohammed the evidence compellingly supported the truthfulness of his claim. Despite demonstrating his legitimacy in the same manner as every truthful vicegerent of God before him, people spared no effort to concoct the most ludicrous and illogical excuses to disbelieve in him. They argued that he couldn't be the Mahdi because he spoke English, dressed in modern attire, interacted with women without observing hijab, and utilized the internet to spread his message. Some even claimed that his teachings were too unconventional to align with those expected from the Mahdi. It's not surprising to witness the awaited Mahdi being treated in such a manner. The Qur’an recounts Prophet Noah’s situation, stating: “But the eminent among those who disbelieved from his people said, 'This is not but a man like yourselves who wishes to take precedence over you; and if Allah had willed [to send a messenger], He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this among our forefathers. He is not but a man possessed with madness, so wait concerning him for a time.'” (Qur’an, Chapter 23 (Mu’minun), Verses 23-25) Prophet Hud also encountered similar opposition from his people. “The eminent disbelievers among them said, 'Indeed, we see you as foolish, and indeed, we think you are lying.'” (Qur’an, Chapter 7 (Al-Araf), Verse 66) If the past Prophets and Messengers were met with such disdain from the people, how can we expect that the awaited Savior of Mankind, the Mahdi, will not face the same treatment or worse? Muslims are aware that Prophet Mohammed faced the most severe challenges among the Prophets and Messengers. He had enemies from every direction, endured numerous assassination attempts, and was cursed by the majority. Can we then presume that the awaited Mahdi will have it any easier? Imam Al-Sadiq said, “If the Qaim rises, he will endure more suffering than the Prophet of Allah did from the ignorant people of the Jahiliya. The Prophet of Allah was sent to them while they were worshiping stones, rocks, sticks, and carved wood. Verily, our Qaim, if he rises, will go to the people, and all of them will interpret the book of Allah against him and use it as proof against him.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 305) Muslims today envision themselves as those who will stand by the Mahdi when he comes. However, there are narrations indicating that this may not be the case. In fact, these narrations suggest that so-called Muslims will reject him, while those who seem pagan will accept him. Aba Abdillah said, "When the Qaim (Riser) emerges, those traditionally seen as the people of this matter will depart, and those akin to sun and moon worshippers will enter into it." (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 330) In other narrations, we find that people of Arab and Persian descent will become adversaries of the Qaim. Imam Al-Sadiq states, “If the Riser/Qaim emerges, there shall be nothing between him and the Arabs and Persians except the sword.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 389) Imam Al-Sadiq also said, “With the Qaim, there are few from the Arabs.” (Mizan Al-Hikmah, Mohammed Al-Reyshahri, Vol. 1, p. 186) Aba Abdillah said, “Fear, O Arabs, for verily I have bad news for you: none shall emerge from among you with the Qaim.” (Ghaybat Al-Tusi, Al-Shaikh Al-Tusi, Vol. 1, p. 496) In other narrations, we also find that Muslim scholars would become adversaries of the Mahdi. The twelve Imams have stated, “When Imam Mahdi emerges, he shall not have a clearer enemy than the religious scholars. For this reason, he and the sword are like brothers. Without the sword, the religious scholars would have issued decrees for his killing. However, God presents him with the sword, generosity, and kindness so that they may obey him, fear him, and accept his judgment, albeit without genuine belief. Rather, they harbor disbelief in their hearts.” (Yanabi’ Al-Mawadda Li-Dhawi L-Qurba, Sulayman b. Ibrahim Al-Qunduzi Al-Hana, Vol. 3, p. 215) All these narrations have found fulfillment in our lifetime. It's not difficult to discern the prevailing views people hold toward our call and the Black Banner under which the Mahdi rises, bearing the inscription "Allegiance is to Allah." The Ahlul-Bayt declared, "Verily, we Ahlul-Bayt have a banner. Whoever advances beyond it has renegaded, and whoever lags behind it has perished. Whoever follows it has truly followed [us]. 'Allegiance is to Allah' is inscribed upon it!" (250 Signs until the Appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Tabatabai, p. 26) With the rise of this black banner came a surge of oppression, curses, and abuses from Muslims, once again fulfilling another prophecy. Abi Baseer narrated that Aba Abdillah said in a lengthy discourse about the Qaim of the Family of Mohammed, “Then he will unfurl the banner and will march beneath it, leaving none in the East or the West who will not curse it. Yet, it is the banner of the Messenger of Allah, with which Gabriel descended on the day of Badr.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 318) The Companions of the Qaim also face harsh judgment and accusations from the people. Prophet Mohammed described the companions of the Qaim, saying, “Verily, they are considered disbelievers by the people, yet in the eyes of God, they are pious. They are deemed liars by the people, but in God's eyes, they are truthful. They are seen as impure by the people, but in God’s eyes, they are pure. Cursed by the people, yet blessed by God. Considered oppressors by the people, yet just in God's eyes. They have triumphed through their faith, while the hypocrites have lost.” (Al-Malahim wal Fitan, Al-Sayyid ibn Tawus, Vol. 1, p. 268) Though we may be cursed in the eyes of the people, we are truly blessed by God and united in the assembly of His Holiness, the Riser of the Family of Mohammed. He has raised the banner of promise, reuniting God's chosen people once more. "In that day, the Lord will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of His people from Assyria, Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, Cush, Elam, Babylonia, Hamath, and the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 11, Verses 11-12)

On May 30, 2023, AROPL Human Rights Coordinator Hadil El-Khouly urgently appealed to the EU Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, to intervene and save the lives of over 100 refugees stranded at the Bulgarian border by granting them humanitarian visas. Her plea came in the wake of escalating persecution and human rights abuses against members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, including arbitrary detention , torture, enforced disappearances , and discrimination . Prominent human rights organizations such as Human Rights without Frontiers and the European Federation of Freedom and Belief rallied behind our persecuted members, endorsing AROPL's open letter to the French embassy urging the issuance of humanitarian visas. It was one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the history of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light - with hundreds of its members being stranded and detained in a Muslim-majority nation - without the right to practice their faith. Fortunately, ever since the long-awaited release of the 104 in September 2023, 77 persecuted members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) have sought refuge and successfully claimed asylum in Europe. Among them, 41 were part of the group that endured hardship in Edirne, Turkey. An Enclave of Safety in Spain Two AROPL asylum seekers who have found refuge in Spain are Khireddine Ahmane and Cherif Mohamed Ali, both of whom were imprisoned in Algeria for over four months in 2022 and have been recognized as victims of religious persecution by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Cherif Mohamed Ali with his wife and child Cherif's wife was pregnant when he received his prison sentence for "mocking Islam and the rituals of Islam," as per Article 144 of the Algerian Penal Code. Most of her term he spent in detention, without the ability to experience the pregnancy of his firstborn. Today, Cherif, his wife, and their one-year-old son have found sanctuary in Barcelona, where he cherishes every moment with his family. "I appreciate my freedom and the ability to freely speak about my religion," says Cherif. One significant accusation leveled against Cherif and Khireddine was their background in cinematography. The religious material they had edited on their computer was deemed "heretical" by the Algerian state, leading to their lengthy prison sentences. Today, Cherif and Khireddine enjoy documenting their missionary activities on social media and in the streets of Spain, free from the fear of repercussions. AROPL Believers in Spain The believers in Spain cultivate a community inspired by Jesus' words, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (The Holy Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 18, Verse 20) Without the fear of arrest and persecution lingering over their heads, Khireddine and his wife regularly meet with Jintana Wangkulum and Somsak Jensen  to worship in congregation. Together they watch and discuss the lectures of Aba Al-Sadiq, read "The Goal of the Wise" and meditate. In Thailand, Somsak faced several days of detention after publicly advocating the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq. During their time in Edirne, he was imprisoned alongside his 5-year-old daughter Adilah, who suffered from severe weight loss and malnutrition in the detention center.  The regular meetings in Spain provide him with a sense of belonging and community. He has finally found a place where he can practice his religion without fear.  Phatmalek, a believer in Spain Another heartbreaking case of persecution is that of Phatmalek, a 72-year-old Thai man who suffers from several health conditions. Not only was he persecuted for his faith in his home country of Thailand, but he was also detained in Turkey as part of the group of 104 for five months. During his time in detention, the Turkish Gendarme's medical negligence nearly cost him his life. Today, Phatmalek is among the AROPL members who have found safety in Spain. He resides in an asylum facility in the heart of Algeciras, where he finally receives the medical care he needs. His grandson, Kodakk Lin, reports, "He is slowly recovering from the conditions in the Turkish detention center." Azeri Brotherhood in Europe 32 members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light have lodged asylum claims in Poland and Germany. A large number of them are from Azerbaijan, where many of them were detained, questioned and severely beaten by the National Crime Agency and Intelligence  Services. Missionary works in the name of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are criminalized under article 167 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code which prohibits the production or distribution of religious material without prior permission. Azeri brothers in Europe To be able to spread the glad tidings of Imam Mahdi's appearance, a fundamental aspect of their faith, Azeri believers like Hikmet Gahmanov, Alimammad Maharramov, and Beyrak Muradov were compelled to flee their homeland. Hikmet Gahmanov recalls harrowing experiences during his detention by the Azerbaijani Intelligence Service: “A group of guards took me after one interrogation away from the cameras to the bathroom and beat me severely, saying ‘You deserve to be killed. You are an apostate.’” Today, Beyrak and Hikmet manage an Instagram channel disseminating the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq in Azeri Turkish to over 70,000 followers. They are enthusiastic about their missionary work online and on the streets of Poland. “The brothers and I translated the Goal of the Wise into Turkish and Azeri. And my YouTube channel now has more than 2.7k subscribers,” Hikmet Gahmanov shares with excitement. Fatima Nematzde from Azerbaijan was the youngest member of the AROPL detained in Edirne, Turkey. She was only eleven months old when she and her mother Arzu Nematzde were separated from her father for five months and arbitrarily detained in horrendous conditions. Before the intervention of several human rights organizations, the Turkish Gendarmerie refused to provide milk to the infant and subjected the mother to conditions that led to her having a seizure and falling unconscious. Today Arzu, Senan and Fatima share a small apartment with other believers in Greece, where they wait for their asylum interview. Today, Arzu, Senan, and Fatima reside in a modest apartment with other believers in Greece, awaiting their asylum interviews. They are grateful for the support they have found among fellow believers and for the opportunity to finally lead a normal life. “Fatima is still recovering from the traumatizing conditions in the Turkish detention center,” says Arzu. A Jordanian Family in Greece In Athens, Basir Al-Sokour, a Jordanian national and former military officer, is preparing for his asylum interview. His military background has made him a target of the Jordanian intelligence services, who viewed his conversion from Sunni Islam to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light as treasonous. The Jordanian services harassed, questioned and threatened him - following him all the way to Turkey. He was pursued to Turkey, where he faced further mistreatment, including being blindfolded and beaten by the Turkish Gendarmerie during his detention in Edirne as part of the 104. Now, he and 13 other members of the faith have successfully lodged their claim for international protection in Greece. Two of them are his brothers Omar and Ahmed - who themselves were arbitrarily detained in the Headquarters of the Jordanian Intelligence for several days. Since arriving in Greece, Basir has used Facebook to preach the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, with his live streams attracting hundreds of Arabic-speaking believers. In Jordan, such missionary activities would lead to his immediate arrest. Basir Al-Sokour in Greece The success of the 77 persecuted members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a beacon of hope for all believers that are till today forced to hide their faith in Muslim majority countries like Iran, Iraq, Malaysia or Turkey. It exemplifies that a life in safety for the supporters of Imam Al-Mahdi is possible. Yet it also reminds us that our struggle is not over yet. AROPL and its members will not rest, until not a single supporter of Aba Al-Sadiq is detained, tortured, mistreated or discriminated against because of his beliefs.

May 14th, 2020 Religious Persecution in Sweden Begins With the Destruction of Fawad Haider’s Car Window The British citizen Fawad Haider was driving with two British citizens in the Örebro region when they were stopped during a traffic control. They were asked to produce their identification documents, which they did. The police officer then asked them to open the door of the car and  step out of the vehicle. When they asked to know the reason, the police officer became aggressive and smashed in their window. He then took all three British members to the police station. One of them was detained for several hours. He asked for food and to use the bathroom but was denied either. Their car was left unattended with an open window and vulnerable to theft at any given time. All three men were released without any charges.  September 10, 2020 SWAT Team Raid In one of the largest scale scenes of religious persecution in Sweden, On the 10th of September, more than twenty police men, over seven police vehicles and a group of more than five SWAT team officers in full combat gear raided the headquarters of our organization at Sävsjön 21 in 71293 Hällefors. Swedish Police raid AROPL Headquarters in Sweden Families with children were present on the property that day. They reported being scared and shocked at the sight of armed men storming the premises. The members of the congregation had never experienced anything similar. The officers forbade them from leaving the premises.  When some members did not want to allow them permission to enter the property without first showing their warrant, the officers pushed their way through and used force to enter.  Consequently, some of the parents were unable to pick up their children from school on time. Children under the age of 8 were left unattended on the school premises for hours and had no way to get home.  To this day it is unclear why they raided the property, even bringing a SWAT team along. Of course, they did not find anything illegal. November 18th, 2020 Fire Inspector Police Escort Swedish Police Raid AROPL Headquarters in Sweden Five police officers appeared at the entrance of the property in Berglasgarden to accompany Fire Safety Inspectors. They violently pushed their way into the property while the peaceful members of the religion were recording them. They insisted on entering the property for a fire inspection without an appointment, bringing five police officers along as escort.  January 11, 2022 Raid on Kyllervägen 7 and Bokvägen 9 On the 11th of January, 2022, three police cars and one undercover police car raided the houses of Guillaume Ballet at Kyllervägen 7 and Ramazan Demirovic at Bokvägen 9 in 71232 Hällefors. The officers had a warrant to search both of these houses on grounds that are unknown.  In Kyllervägen 7 they found British citizen Ghazala Syed, a female member of our religion, with her two mentally challenged children. She was staying over at the house with her children for a visit. Seven officers searched every corner of the house and scared the disabled children, only to once again find nothing illegal.  Image of the raid at Kyllervägen 7 The same seven officers went on to search the house of another member living at Bokvägen 9. They found two women and children under the age of eight. The house owner and US-citizen Mejreme Demirovic, who was present in the house at the time, reports having been extremely frightened by the sight of seven police officers storming her house. After the incident she did not want to stay at home alone, but asked that one of her family members stay with her in the house at all times. April 11, 2022  Kalsoom Shah and her Daughter Duae Zahra On the 11th of April, 2022 Kalsoom Shah and her daughter Duae Zahra, were invited to the Örebro police station under false pretense. Mrs. Shah was told that she was invited to be questioned as a witness in an assault case that she had witnessed in August 2021. The letter she received asked her to bring her daughter Duae Zahra along as an additional witness.  Both women made use of their right to bring legal counsel to their interrogation yet once they arrived at the scene the officers insisted to separate mother and daughter and did not allow their lawyer, Joakim Sörmdal, to be present during the interrogation. In fact, they intentionally separated 17 year old Duae Zahra from her mother to ask her discriminatory questions. They asked her if she was married off illegally, held against her will by her parents or our organization, or limited in her freedoms. She was even offered a secret way to leave her family. Duae Zahra asserted that she was not held against her will, which exposed the entire operation to be unnecessary and once again based on prejudice.  At the same time, Kalsoom Shah was questioned separately. Her lawyer was ordered to leave and officers tried to interrogate Mrs. Shah for almost one hour without legal counsel present, even though she repeatedly insisted on her right to only speak in the presence of a lawyer. German citizen Caroline Hören accompanied the two women. The investigating officer asked to question her on the spot, without her being invited previously. Only when Ms. Hören called her lawyer and was informed that such questioning would be illegal in Sweden, the female investigator stopped further attempts to question her. June 14, 2022 Stopping of Guillaume Ballet, Ali Haider and Lela Lotfi  On the 14th of June, 2022, Swiss citizen Guillaume Ballet, British citizen Ali Haider and Egyptian citizen Lela Lotfi Abdelrahman were stopped on the road between Hällefors and our headquarters at Sävsjön 21. Two undercover cars, two police vans and one motorcycle ambushed the group. Once again the location of the traffic stop (a country road with little traffic) and the disproportionate number of police vehicles suggests that the officers were planning to stop vehicles that transported members of the organization. This was also supported by the fact that a police motorcycle was sighted circling the organization's headquarters only shortly afterwards.  Swedish police aggressively arrest an AROPL believer The driver of the car, Guillaume Ballet, was ordered to get out of the car. When his phone rang, he tried to get it out of his pocket, but several officers ran towards Mr. Ballet. They slammed him against the police van, handcuffed him and transported Mr. Ballet to the police station in Hällefors, then later to Örebro police station. They also confiscated his phone during the entire procedure. They did not allow him to roll up the windows of his car, or lock the car. His vehicle was left behind unattended for more than six hours and could have been stolen and damaged at any time. They forced him to do a blood and urine test, then put Mr. Ballet in a cell with a toilet that did not flush. After several hours, he told the officers that he was hungry, but was not given any food. For the entire duration the officers were mocking him. He repeatedly informed them that he did not want to answer any questions without his lawyer present, yet they applied psychological pressure on him to talk and did not assign him a lawyer until several hours later. The Swedish lawyer assigned to him by the police confirmed that he had no rights as a Swiss citizen when being suspected of a crime. The police also detained the second passenger, Ali Haider. A police officer forcefully opened the door of the car and told Ali Haider to exit, while he had done nothing wrong. They arrested him, searched him from head to toe, even in his private area, and shouted at him. They did not allow him to take his phone even though Mr. Haider repeatedly asked for it. They forcefully transported him to Hällefors, where they tried to interrogate him for several hours without his lawyer present, even though he requested one. Then they transported him to Örebro, where they humiliated him by making him strip completely naked and bend forward. After another 30 minutes in a cell he was informed that the charges against him had been dropped. He had been arrested and humiliated while being completely innocent. He was released onto the streets of Örebro, 1.5 hours away from his home in Hällefors. As the police had not allowed him to take his belongings, he had no phone on him to contact anyone to pick him up and had no money to buy a bus ticket home.  The drug tests for both Guillaume Ballet and Ali Haider came back negative. The third passenger, another member of the faith by the name of Lela Abdelrahman Lotfi, tried to record what was happening. They attempted to snatch the phone from her and a female officer positioned herself to block the view. They even told her that filming the police was not allowed and a crime. After they took the two fellow passengers, they left her alone in a field 11km from her accommodation.  Both Ali Haider and Guillaume Ballet complained to their respective embassies the same day.  June 15, 2022 Stopping of Fawad Haider The next day, on the 15th of June, another member of our religion by the name of Fawad Haider was followed and stopped by an undercover police car in the city of Hällefors. He was informed that he was suspected of being under the influence of narcotics. They questioned him but he made use of his legal right to remain silent, as previously advised by his lawyer. Fawad Haider was then arrested on the basis of driving the vehicle with a British drivers license and taken to the local Hällefors police station. The basis of his arrest was completely illegal, as Swedish law permits the unlimited use of a British drivers license and therefore the charges were dropped. Fawad Haider was taken to the local clinic and forced to take a drug test. The results of the drug test were negative. He was innocent. April 29, 2023 To our surprise, about half a year after the last AROPL members had left Sweden, Sverige Radio released an interview with the head of the Police Intelligence Service in Bergslagen, Mr. Per Lundbäck. Mr. Per Lundbäck, Police Intelligence Service in Bergslagen In the first part of the interview, released on the 29th of April 2023, Per Lundbäck revealed that the rejection of visa applications of members of the faith was a joint effort by the Migrationsverket , Skatteverket, Kronofogden  and the Swedish police to expel and shut down the religion, using the migration route as a pretext. It stated: After the police, along with several other authorities, conducted an operation against a religious “sect” outside Hällefors, 69 individuals received negative decisions from the Swedish Migration Agency.  The police had been monitoring the organization, but it was only during a joint operation with multiple authorities that they managed to shut it down.  The police wanted to conduct a raid on the headquarters in Bergslagen but were worried it would turn violent. They had received police reports that AROPL was violent and dangerous, but never found evidence to substantiate the claim. The statements above are alarming on many levels and raise grave concerns about institutional oppression, systematic racism, transparency, accountability, and ethics of public institutions. They are a confession by the Swedish authorities that the grounds for rejecting residency applications were solely on the basis of religion, which means the state admits that it has intentionally discriminated against members of the religion and denied them visas for no reason other than their religious affiliation . The statements above are also a confession by the Swedish authorities that their decision to target a religious group, conduct unwarranted raids on their property, and reject their visa applications, was based on false accusations and character defamation that were neve r substantiated in any court of law. It is a violation of the presumption of innocence which is guaranteed in the European Convention of Human Rights, Art. 6, Section 2: “Everyone charged with a criminal offense shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.” May 12, 2023 On the 12 th  of May, 2023, the same Swedish State Radio published a second article titled: “The setup of the sect involved starting businesses to enable its members to come to Sweden”.   Written in the article was the following:   The religious sect in Sävsjön, located outside of Hällefors, utilized frivolous companies and sham employments to allow its members to stay in Sweden.   The sect is said to have operated at least three businesses that, through sham employments, enabled 70 members and their families to reside in the country.   The salary that the members were supposed to receive was just above the limit that exists for labor immigration, but hardly any money was actually paid out.  "Companies are often a disguise for something else, such as money laundering, or to hire people on paper but, in reality, the people do nothing," says Per Lundbäck, head of police intelligence operations. It is important to emphasize that the AROPL members opened companies in cooperation with each other to build a life in Sweden. This endeavor was destroyed by the above mentioned joint operation and the members of AROPL eventually got tired of the harassment by the Swedish Police, Migrationsverket  and Skatteverket and shut down their operations in Sweden. As mentioned above, the companies in question were genuine businesses that were reported on by local Swedish newspapers and had genuine activities.  The Swedish authorities involved had no proof that the companies were not genuine, other than their suspicions and prejudice. The final sentence of the interview is particularly alarming: "Indeed,  no authorities participating in the joint operation wanted a religious sect in the area, particularly one that was violent. We don't want them at all, especially not in our local community. "   On December 26, 2023, an article about the organization was published in Expressen. The article indicates that the municipality and the police viewed the religion as a sect. Per Lundbäck stated: "We may throw around the term 'sect' a bit loosely, but they had a religious appearance, secluded themselves, and were very closed. They absolutely did not want any oversight from the outside world." Furthermore, Per Lundbäck stated in the article: "Per Lundbäck says that the police also suspected several crimes, including money laundering and human trafficking. It hasn't been proven, but several authorities decided to join forces and try to shut down the operations at Bergslagsgården." No one in the group has been notified of suspicion of money laundering or human trafficking, and no evidence supporting such suspicions has been provided by the police, even after several requests. None of the members have been involved in or sentenced for the above mentioned or for any crimes in Sweden or the EU. Per Lundbäck also admitted in the article that the common goal of the authorities was for the religious sect, as they perceived it, not to remain. He stated: "It doesn't matter if they (the organization's members) are ultimately convicted of crimes or not, we wanted to get rid of them from there."

The high-security detention center of Evin looms like a fortress, its interconnected cells a labyrinth of despair.  Each cell, whether for solitary or communal confinement, bears the marks of oppression. Sealed entrances and exits, illuminated by ceaseless lights, ensure perpetual surveillance. Blindfolds are mandatory for movement outside the cell, a precaution against encountering the watchful gaze of intelligence officers. Evin Prison, located in Tehran, Iran, is notorious for its harsh conditions and widespread human rights abuses. Used to incarcerate political prisoners and dissidents, it has gained international attention for its history of torture, solitary confinement, and coerced confessions. Despite numerous calls for reform and intervention from human rights organizations, Evin Prison remains a symbol of repression and injustice within Iran. Evin Prison in Iran In December 2022 Mohammedreza Shekariyanasl together with 12 other members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light found himself trapped in Evin Prison - subjected to its harsh realities and torment. He described how the relentless glare of lights, burning twenty-four hours a day, robbed prisoners of sleep and sanity. "Blindfolded and berated, we were stripped of our dignity and humanity," Mohammedreza recalls. But how did a 35 year old assistant director end up in one of the most notorious security prisons in all of Iran?  Mohammedreza Shekariyanasl In 2019 the Iranian regime launched a propaganda campaign against AROPL. They even went as far as to publish a documentary about the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The documentary featured major scholars of the Iranian regime, all of whom considered the beliefs of AROPL to be “heretical”. In 2019, following Iranian propaganda, the Iranian government raided the homes of three members of the AROPL, detaining them and subjecting them to torture and beatings in front of their loved ones. Mohammadreza was one of them. His life took a drastic turn when his house in the heart of Tehran was raided by Iranian authorities. Blindfolded and taken into custody, he endured eleven days of solitary confinement, subjected to relentless questioning about his beliefs. His crime? Proclaiming his faith as a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light on social media. For Mohammedreza, the consequences were severe. He was sentenced to two years of exile from his home city Tehran and was forced to reside far from his family, grappling with the anguish of separation and the uncertainty of the future. M ohammedreza Shekariyanasl's ordeal echoes the harrowing experiences of fellow believers Mohammadreza Chitsazanmoghaddam. Mohammadreza Chitsazanmoghaddam, a resident of Babel, fell victim to the Iranian authorities' ruthless crackdown on religious dissent in 2019 as well. A barrage of police cars descended on his home, with over 20 officers launching a violent assault in front of his traumatized family. Accused of "insulting the leadership" and opposing the regime's principles, he faced a sham trial that resulted in a five-year probation sentence and the seizure of his assets. Disowned by his extended family and threatened with death, he was forced to flee his hometown. Since these detentions in 2019, fear has permeated the lives of AROPL members in Iran, often refraining from expressing their thoughts online. However, community gatherings and spreading the message globally are fundamental aspects of their faith. Yet, even after completing his sentence, Shekariyanasl’s torment continued. In December 2022, Shekariyanasl and 12 other members, accompanied by 2 children, were intercepted by the Ministry of Intelligence while traveling together. The agents opened fire on their vehicles, suggesting they had been under surveillance. Subsequently, the group was violently assaulted. Shekariyanasl endured further brutality. For simply requesting water for the children, Iranian Intelligence Officers forced his head under a car tire in an attempt to end his life. Leaked footage exposing extreme conditions in Evin Prison This is when they were transferred to the infamous Evin Prison, where they faced severe torture and coerced confessions to false accusations. The Iranian Human Rights organization HRANA reported on the incident and demanded their immediate relief. Mohammedreza Shekariyanasl recounts the horrific conditions that he and others faced in Evin prison: “The number of interrogation sessions varied from person to person, with some being interrogated up to 30 times or more. Sometimes, there were two or three sessions a day, each lasting several hours, without breaks for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In each session they first tried to intimidate us. If that didn't work, they resorted to insulting our family and friends to agitate us and elicit incriminating statements.” Spaniard Santiago Sanchez sent a message to Mohammadreza Shekariyanasl In a remarkable display of compassion amidst adversity, Mohammadreza Shekariyanasl’s humanity shone through even in the darkest of times. During his detention, he forged an unlikely friendship with Santiago Sanches, a Spanish national unjustly confined in Evin Prison for a year. Through violence and intimidation techniques, the members of AROPL were coerced into signing false statements claiming that our religious leader, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, ordered them to engage in homosexual acts and sodomy. One member, Hamidreza Yousefi, recounted a horrifying experience, where prisoners described intense torture. He states, "Prisoners there told me about the intense torture in Evin prison, where they inserted beer bottles into their bodies. Shortly after, we heard the cries of one of our fellow members, a woman by the name of Saba, who was arrested with me. An interrogator remarked, 'I don't like her; otherwise, I would have raped her...'" Upon Mohammedreza’s release on bail, he contacted the Spanish consulate, leading to Sanches’s eventual release. Grateful for Mohammedreza’s intervention, Sanches expressed his appreciation by sending a heartfelt video from Spain. “Look,” he exclaimed, showcasing the serene beauty of the Spanish woods as he walked through the park, enjoying his regained freedom. Ever since their release, some of our members attempted to leave the country to ensure their safety, but they were intercepted and had their passports confiscated, including Mohammad Hashem Bazarfshan. Translation of the document: General Administration of Passport Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Hashem Bazrafshan son of Mohammad, with regards, please go to the Clergy Court in Tehran with the number 14/11/41632.  We have taken away your passport and after the court, you will receive it. Passport Number: 52620817 SIGNED - Imam Khomeini’s International Airport Currently, 22 of our members have fled to Turkey, seeking refuge, but encountered challenges as the government there did not offer a warm welcome. Many were among the 104 believers arbitrarily detained in Edirne. The remaining Iranian and Afghan believers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light live in constant fear in Iran, hesitant to reveal their religion and identities.

Hisham Omar Abd Al-Nazir Hassan, a 46-year-old Egyptian citizen and Ahmadi believer, faces injustice due to his sexual orientation. Hisham was imprisoned in 2022 under false pretenses. The Egyptian government targets LGBTQ+ individuals, violating human rights. His story highlights the discrimination faced by religious and sexual minorities in Egypt. Hisham Omar Abd Al-Nazir Hassan is a 46-year-old Egyptian citizen born in Iraq. He is a son, an upright citizen, a hard worker and good friend to those who know him. Hisham was doing well for himself, he worked as a Safety Officer in Oman and became a wealthy citizen. He would spend his hard-earned money on his friends and family - lending a helping hand to those in need. Hisham is also a faithful believer in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and was accepted into the faith in 2012. The Qaim of the Family of Mohammed Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq had invited Hisham to visit him while he along with his family and supporters were residing in Sweden. It was there that Hisham was given a very warm welcome and acceptance by both the promised Mahdi along with his faithful supporters and companions. After his short-lived visit, Hisham returned to Egypt where he continued to support the Call and began planning his migration. However, on one tragic night in 2022, Hisham was taken and placed under arrest by the Egyptian police who in turn savagely beat and tortured him and threw him in jail without mercy. Hisham was not found guilty of murder, armed robbery, or kidnapping - so what was the crime that Hisham committed that made these police officers react with such violent force as if he was less than human? You see, the police had uncovered a great secret Hisham had kept hidden for years, a secret that would ruin his life. Hisham Omar is a homosexual. Hisham Omar Abd Al-Nazir Hassan and AROPL believers Although there are no laws against homosexuality in Egypt, the government finds a way to incriminate those involved in homosexual acts and behavior through Article 269 of the Egyptian Penal Code, that states: “Whoever is found on a public road or a traveled and frequented place inciting the passers with signals or words to commit adultery shall be punished with detention for a period not exceeding one month.” Another law commonly cited when framing members of the LGBTQI+ community is Law 10/1961 on the Combating of Prostitution. Victims are commonly entrapped through dating apps, or lured into hotels where they are consequently arrested. Human Rights Watch reported in 2020: A Cairo-based LGBT rights organization documented 92 arrests for alleged same-sex conduct in 2019 under Egypt’s “debauchery” law. According to the organization’s report, 69 percent of those arrested were “picked up randomly on the street,” indicating that Egyptian authorities are discriminating against people based on their gender expression. To that end, Hisham has been falsely and discriminatingly charged under Articles 3, 4, 14, 15 and 16 of Law 10/1961 on the Combating of Prostitution.  Hisham Omar's family reported Hisham’s disappearance after about a week. Despite extensive efforts to locate him, including visits to hospitals and police stations throughout Cairo, the authorities remained silent and refused to disclose his whereabouts. On November 2nd, 2022, the family received a call informing them that Hisham had been tried and sentenced to two years in prison. Following an appeal, the court ruled on December 20th to reject the appeal and impose the maximum penalty of two years in prison, with an additional year of probation to be served at the police station. This punishment is compounded by the physical abuse, verbal insults, and humiliation endured by Hisham while in police custody. Ahmed Hallal, a faithful believer and supporter of Aba Al-Sadiq was shocked by these revelations. Hisham and Ahmed have been close friends since 1999. Ahmed was also the one who had given Hisham the glad tidings of the appearance of the Mahdi and accepted the faith because of it. Ahmed Hallal reached out to Hisham's family to offer support to his friend in need. But upon hearing about Hishams sexual orientation, his previous contacts and family members disowned him, called him “filthy” and no longer wanted to offer their support to him. Hisham was left to fend for himself in prison, suddenly abandoned by anyone he knew - solely on the basis of his sexual orientation. As of now, Hisham remains incarcerated solely because the Egyptian government refuses to tolerate individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. Some may wonder how the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light can embrace homosexuals within its fold.  Should they not be shunned or excommunicated until they change their ways? The simple answer is no. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light accepts everyone despite their ethnicity, background, sexual orientation, and upbringing. Everyone who wants God is welcome. Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq relates an event that had taken place in the gospel The Goal of the Wise : "In the beginning of the Call in Iraq, after Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan (From Him is Peace) opened the first house of worship for the believers, there was a homosexual man who came to the house of worship. The followers of the Imam (From Him is Peace) stated that they wanted him to go away because, in their opinion, him being amongst them would ruin their reputation and the reputation of the religion, since he was known in the town to be homosexual. Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan (From Him is Peace), upon hearing this became very angry and told them: “If I shut the doors to God in his face on whose door shall he knock?” And he welcomed the man back in. As such, our religion and our congregations welcome homosexuals and people from all walks and ways of life, because the person who is sincere in his search for God is much more honorable than the one who shows false religiosity while he is a hypocrite on the inside." (The Goal of the Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 3, p. 41) The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light will always and forever have its doors open to everyone. We do not shun or discriminate against anyone. We will not tolerate the imprisonment of Hisham Omar. We demand that justice be served for the inhumane treatment he endured, as well as for the robbery of his time and possessions. We will relentlessly pursue the release of our fellow believer until he is freed .

The believers in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) are coming forth in large numbers from all corners of the earth, as foretold by God in the age of the Riser from the family of Prophet Mohammed. This era is both deeply challenging and transformative, marked by trials yet leading to profound enlightenment. These believers act on their faith and the principle that there is no power or might except through God alone. “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” (Bible, Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, Verse 9) Today, these believers are encouraging one another through positive works, striving for the mission of God and His messenger of this age, the Riser of Truth. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (Bible, Book of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, Verse 11) We spoke to Sara from Canada, who recently joined AROPL. She shared her journey to faith and her understanding of Aba Al-Sadiq. Sara's story offers inspiration to others who may follow her path of truth. How and why did you join the faith? “I was born into a Twelver Shia family in Bamyan, Afghanistan, but was raised in Iran. Later, I migrated to the Netherlands, where I lived for 15 years. At 20, I entered an arranged marriage, which proved difficult and eventually led to divorce in 2023. It was in 2022 that I first heard the call and began my research. I read The Goal of the Wise and joined TikTok livestreams. I discovered The Mahdi Has Appeared YouTube channel and was inspired by the School of Divine Mysteries by Aba Al-Sadiq. Now, I follow the Rise Up channel and attend every livestream I can.” What drew you to the faith? “In 2018, I had a vision-like dream that felt more real than anything I had ever experienced. I found myself outside this world, hearing and seeing things beyond explanation. A message came through: ‘You are needed here.’ I returned to my body with a profound sense of purpose. Since then, I’ve been searching for the truth about my existence, the purpose of life, and how to connect with God. I always knew God was real, but understanding how to build a relationship with Him was my most profound question.” What was your life before the call like? “Through the ups and downs of life, I always felt God’s presence, even amidst trials. I am currently the only member of my family who has accepted this blessed call. I am trying to share it with my parents and siblings. I also care for my younger brother, who is 25 and has epilepsy, requiring high doses of medication. Additionally, my 85-year-old grandmother lives with us.” What are your goals now in this call? “I moved from the Netherlands to Canada to help my family with their challenges and to share the call. Helping others gives my life meaning, especially when they are in need. I aspire to join the AROPL community as soon as possible and contribute in any way I can. Eight days ago, I printed stickers to promote the call. Every night, I place them in bus stations, libraries, and universities. Recently, a fellow believer, Brother Ali Ale Al-Mahdi, joined me, and together, we distributed stickers in our local library. I believe that even if we worked day and night, it would never be enough. However, by spreading the message in public spaces like libraries, universities, hospitals, shopping malls, and mosques, we can reach more people. As Aba Al-Sadiq teaches, those destined to hear this divine call will do so, as ordained by God. It is our duty to bring God’s souls to His holy banquet and help establish His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.” “Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” (Qur'an, Chapter 5 (Al-Ma'idah), Verse 32) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (Bible, Book of 1 Peter, Chapter 2, Verse 9)

Despite the Malaysian government’s recent ban on the AROPL faith and a formal religious decree labeling it as deviant, believers in Malaysia continue to demonstrate extraordinary courage. Publicly engaging in missionary work, they risk severe penalties, including imprisonment, for their unwavering commitment to their faith. In a striking display of defiance, dozens of brave followers have made their pledges of allegiance public, even after the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs’s official decree condemning the faith. Their actions not only challenge the suppression of religious freedom but also stand as a testament to their profound conviction and resilience in the face of persecution. As recently as July 2023, eight members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) made headlines in Malaysia after staging a peaceful demonstration in Kuala Lumpur to condemn the persecution of the LGBT community. Holding placards that read, “Only God has the right to judge,” the participants sought to promote human rights and tolerance. Their peaceful protest, however, led to their arrest and subsequent charges of civil and religious offenses . The aftermath was swift and severe. Following a public statement from Kuala Lumpur’s Chief of Police about the AROPL movement, a large-scale government crackdown and censorship campaign unfolded. By October 23, 2024, AROPL Studios reported a particularly troubling case: a raid on a family home culminated in the sentencing of a 60 year old retired fire-fighter . He received a six-month prison term and a fine of RM4,500 after being convicted by the Sharia High Court in Negeri Sembilan. His alleged crimes? Teaching "false doctrines," including spreading the teachings of The Goal of the Wise, declaring Abdullah Hashem as the Second Mahdi, and stating that the Quran had been corrupted. The Malaysian government, in coordination with religious authorities, has since officially labeled the teachings of AROPL as deviant. This designation has far-reaching consequences, effectively branding AROPL adherents as heretics and apostates. Many followers have been forced to flee the country, seeking refuge abroad to escape persecution. The government’s actions reflect a broader trend of censorship that some see as a sign of insecurity rather than strength. Suppressing opposing ideologies instead of engaging them through dialogue reveals the fragility of the state’s intellectual foundation. "The mark of intellectual truth," one observer noted, "is openness to dialogue—not the reflex to censor." In Malaysia’s increasingly repressive environment, dissenting voices risk being silenced under the weight of governmental and religious control. Such tactics, designed to enforce a narrow interpretation of Islam, undermine the country’s aspirations toward a pluralistic and open society. The repercussions have rippled across Malaysia’s AROPL community. On December 17, 2024, the government intensified its campaign by lodging a formal complaint with YouTube headquarters, which resulted in the suspension of the AROPL Malaysia Mahdi YouTube account and the closure of its digital operations. This marked the latest move in a broader censorship effort targeting AROPL media, which has been accused of spreading "deviant teachings." The channel had previously gained attention for presenting evidence and proclaiming the arrival of the awaited Mahdi—a figure revered in Islamic eschatology as a restorer of justice and order. “For those who mocked [messengers], they were eventually enveloped by that which they used to ridicule. Say: Travel through the land and observe the fate of the deniers.” (Qur’an, Chapter 6 (Al-Anam), Verses 11–12) These words resonate with AROPL believers in Malaysia, many of whom have turned to the movement’s media team for spiritual guidance. They have watched sermons by Aba Al-Sadiq, whose messages advocate for liberty and justice for captives, orphans, widows, and the oppressed. Even under pressure, AROPL has seen a growing number of Malaysians pledge allegiance to Aba Al-Sadiq in recent days. This trend reflects the broader resonance of the movement’s message, which its followers see as a fulfillment of the prophecy in Surah An-Nasr: “When Allah’s help comes, and victory, And you see people entering Allah’s religion in throngs, Then glorify the name of your Lord with praises and seek His forgiveness, for He is Oft-turning.” (Qur’an, Chapter 110 (Nasr)) Among these new adherents are individuals like Trafalgar and Normaliza Binti Ismail, whose journeys to AROPL demonstrate both the challenges and the enduring appeal of the faith. Trafalgar, a new AROPL follower, comes from a Sunni Islamic background. Despite a religious upbringing, he remained unaware of certain key traditions, including the narration of the Two Weighty Things and the "Tragedy on Thursday," both of which emphasize the role of the Prophet Muhammad’s family in guiding the faithful. “I was shocked to learn of this hidden knowledge, concealed by corrupt scholars,” Trafalgar said. He expressed gratitude for discovering the Mahdi and Aba Al-Sadiq, pledging to spread the truth despite the risks in Malaysia. “Thank you for accepting me to be with the Ahlul-Bayt family,” he said. Normaliza, previously a follower of Sufism, sought deeper knowledge of Islam after finding contradictions in Sunni teachings. A chance encounter with a video about AROPL, initially dismissed as deviant, led her to investigate further. She was surprised to find that the movement’s teachings were backed by evidence from authentic scriptures. After pledging allegiance, she described a newfound sense of peace and recounted a dream in which Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan warned her to leave her home. Despite facing accusations and strained family relationships, Normaliza has dedicated herself to spreading AROPL’s message through social media and personal outreach. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I hear and see everything.” (Qur’an, Chapter 20 (Taha), Verse 46) As the Malaysian government tightens its grip, AROPL’s media team continues to push forward, sharing the message of Aba Al-Sadiq as the prophesied Mahdi and Riser with Truth. To its followers, the suppression of their faith is proof of its legitimacy. “When the enemies come knocking, it is a sign of truth,” one believer observed. For AROPL supporters, the mission is clear: rise up, take courage, and press on. They believe the dawn of justice is near, even in the face of relentless opposition.

Imagine waking up one day to see the Sun rising from the west. This unusual anomaly would trigger massive geological upheavals; earthquakes, tsunamis, and extreme weather patterns would become the new norm. The planet’s magnetic field could flip, leaving people vulnerable to harmful solar radiation. Our biological rhythms and ecosystems would go haywire, pushing many species toward extinction. Our tech infrastructure would likely collapse, leading to widespread economic and social chaos. Beyond the physical havoc, the Sun rising from the west holds deep religious and cultural weight. In Islamic eschatology, it's a major sign of the “Day of Judgment,” when faith will no longer save the unbelievers. Prophet Muhammad said: "The Hour will not be established until the sun rises from the West, so if the people see it they will believe in it, and that is (the time) when {no soul will benefit from its faith as long as it had not believed before}.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an, Hadith 157) In eschatology, where ancient prophecies intersect with modern-day events, a captivating narrative unfolds—a prophecy of profound significance to Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions. It speaks of a savior, a messianic figure, emerging in the end times to restore justice and equity. This prophecy, often referred to as the "sun rising from the west," has captured the imagination and hope of countless believers. Traditionally, both Sunni and Shia Muslims have envisioned the Mahdi as an Arab emerging from Mecca, accompanied by Arab companions. However, a closer examination of religious scriptures reveals an entirely different picture. The Symbol of the Sun in Religious Traditions While a literal interpretation of the sun rising from the west poses catastrophic scientific implications, a symbolic reading offers a deeper understanding. The "sun" in this context represents a divine messenger, a beacon of guidance and hope. The Quran, the Old Testament, and the New Testament provide symbolic references to the symbol of the sun. In the Quran, Joseph's dream of the sun, moon, and stars bowing to him symbolizes people. Similarly, in Genesis, Jacob (the sun) bows to Joseph, indicating that the sun represents a person. In short, the prophecy of the sun rising from the west points to a person, rather than a literal astronomical event. Imam Al-Kadhim said: “The Qaim rises from the west and his origin is from the east, and it is there that his rise will be established and his matter completed.” (Sharh al-Akhbar, Qadi Nu’man al-Maghribi, Vol. 3, p. 365) The Mahdi or the Qaim, therefore, is seen as the sun rising from the west—a divine messenger who emerges to guide humanity. Another exciting and imminent hope is that the matter of the Qaim is fixed and will be established. That’s why there are narrations that state that no matter what the enemies of the Qaim do, they are only paving the way for him. From the Messenger Mohammed, who said: “There must be a Riser from the sons of Fatima who rises from the west...” (Sharh al-Akhbar, Qadi Nu’man al-Maghribi, Vol. 3, p. 363) The Mahdi's Rise in the West The Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq is the only Imam who has come from “the West”. He was born of an Egyptian Father and an American mother, his head is in the West and his origins from the East. He spent the greater part of his early childhood and teenage years, all the way up until the age of 25, in the United States of America, where he then continued his mission in Egypt. After moving to Egypt, he began calling people towards the Ahlul Bayt and Imam Mahdi, and believers from all over the world, “the people of the West” began joining him and helping him build a media platform to call towards the “Supremacy of God.” The Prince of Believers said, "Verily I shall build a platform in Egypt.’ The narrator said, ‘O Prince of Believers, it is as if you are saying that you will rise after your death.’ He said, ‘How farfetched, O Abayah! You went into a different sect, a man from me does that.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 53, p. 60) This is yet another fulfilling prophecy, The Prince of the Believers Ali ibn Abi Talib said: “The Companion of Egypt is the sign of signs, and his sign is wondrous and it has signs to it, his heart is Hassan (good) and his head is Mohammed and he changes the name of his grandfather. If he emerges, know that the Mahdi will knock on your doors, so before he knocks, fly to him in the domes of the clouds or come to him even if you must crawl on ice.” (What Imam Ali said concerning the End Times, Al-Sayed Ali Ashoor, p. 330) The Ahlul Bayt gave a specific title to the one who paves the way for the twelfth Imam, Imam al-Mahdi. And that person is “The Companion of Egypt.” In the beginning of this movement back in 2011, believers from over 20 nations began flying out to gather with the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq in Egypt, where eventually in 2015 - he raised the prophesied banner that was foretold by the Ahlul Bayt. No man on earth has ever raised a banner like this, except for the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem. "Verily we, Ahlul Bayt have a banner, whoever goes ahead of it has renegaded, and whoever is late to it has perished, and whoever follows it has followed [us], it is written in it: 'Allegiance is to Allah!'" (250 signs until the Appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Tabatabai, p. 15) So indeed Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem was raised in Egypt and then migrated to the West, where he later returned to Egypt to raise the prophesied black banner “Allegiance is to Allah” in 2015, after the prophesied death of King Abdullah of Hijaz, where Prophet Muhammad guaranteed that after the death of King Abdullah, the Qaim would appear to the world. “I am prepared to guarantee Imam Qa'im to one who guarantees the death of Abdullah; because after the death of Abdullah, the Muslims will not have consensus on any one person and this matter will not end except with your Imam. If Allah wills, the kingdom running into years will end and the kingdom running into days and months will begin.” I (the narrator) asked: “Would this matter be prolonged?” He replied: “Definitely not.” (Ghaybat Al-Tusi, Al-Shaikh Al-Tusi, Vol. 1, p. 467) And the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem appeared in 2015 at 32 years old. “He appears in the image of a successful youth at the age of 32.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 193) Then after his worldwide “appearance” in 2015, the Qaim began a new exodus in 2017 and migrated his community to the West in Germany. It is here that another wave of believers began to fly out over the clouds to join the Qaim and the divine community grew even stronger.  After opening up his first official satellite channel and broadcasting to over 57 million homes in the MENA region, the community of the Qaim then migrated to Sweden, where it operated the satellite channel and called people day and night to the religion and to the banner “Allegiance is to Allah” and even more believers joined him.  And after a great deal of persecution from the locals and eventually the Swedish government, the Qaim finally established a worldwide headquarters in the United Kingdom, where the United Nations and over 20 international human rights organisations have deemed the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, not only a official religion regocgnized in “The West”, but also a persecuted religious minority. Abdullah Hashem's introduction of new doctrines and practices challenges traditional Islamic teachings; such as permitting alcohol, lifting the obligation of hijab, exposing the non-working scholars, exposing that the Kaaba not being in its true location, the acceptance of all people regardless of race, religion or orientation, and questioning the Quran's integrity— to name a few. These radical changes fulfill the prophecy of the Mahdi bringing “a new matter, new jurisprudence, and new book”, and facing resistance from Arabs and Persians. Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq said: “The Qaim/Riser comes with a new matter, a new book and a new judgment which is difficult upon the Arabs.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 236) “If the Riser rises he shall call the people to a new Islam, and he shall guide them to a matter that was lost and that the people strayed from, and verily the Riser was called a Mahdi [a Guide] because he guides to a matter which is lost, and he was called a Riser because he rises with the truth.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 51, p. 30) The Mahdi's companions, predominantly non-Arabs, come from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, uniting under the belief in the supremacy of God. The companions circling the Mahdi number 313, hailing from various countries including Ethiopia, Colombia, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland, Egypt, Italy, Kenya, Thailand, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Korea, America, France, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Peru, Kurdistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, France, Spain, Yemen, Venezuela, Trinidad and many other countries. This diverse assembly of followers emphasizes the global nature of the Mahdi's mission, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries, and more importantly that they originate from the West. And if you think that is strange, then the strangeness of this matter was prophesied by the Prophet Muhammad as well: "Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Ibn Majah, Book of Tribulations, Hadith 3986) The prophecy of “The Sun Rising from the West” not only refers to the Qaim from the family of Muhammad, Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, but it’s also important to note that his followers would be perceived as “Sun and Moon worshippers.” Imam Al-Sadiq (pbuh) said: "If the Qaim (Riser) emerges, all those, whom saw that they were of this matter, will go out of it and there shall enter into it the likeness of the worshippers of the sun and the moon." (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, p. 332) You can understand this parallel in a number of ways. For example that the “People of the West” would not be born muslim before they enter the call of the Qaim and they will be perceived by the Arab Muslims around the world as “sun and moon worshippers” or non-believers in Islam. You can also understand this narration to be pointing at a group of diverse people from the four corners of the Earth that submit and pledge their allegiance to “The Sun”, the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, hence they are “sun worshippers”, because worshipping God truly means the submission to his appointed vicegerent on the Earth and recognising the “Imam of the Time”, who in our time today is the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem. Imam Al-Baqir said: “The companions of the Riser are 313 men, the sons of the Non-Arabs. Some of them will be carried in the clouds during the day, they’re known by their name, their father’s name, lineage and qualities.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol.1, p. 327) The Prince of the Believers said: “As if I’m seeing the Non-Arabs putting up their tents in Al-Koufa mosque and teaching the people the Quran as it came down.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 332) Born and Raised in the West The narrative of the sun rising from the west and the emergence of the Mahdi presents a profound and suspenseful journey through ancient prophecies and contemporary revelations. The conclusion is both startling and hopeful—the world savior is here today, in Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, the Qaim. Born and raised in America, Abdullah Hashem embodies the prophecy of the Qaim, the savior of mankind, whose emergence from the West mirrors the unexpected rise of Moses from the house of Pharaoh. There are a lot of similarities between Moses and Aba Al-Sadiq. Moses was a Savior who was raised in the palace of Pharaoh. Aba Al-Sadiq was raised in the house of the Greater Dajjal America. Moses was not fluent in Hebrew, and Aba Al-Sadiq addresses the whole world in English, while the Muslims were expecting the Qaim to speak in Arabic. Although he speaks Arabic, he chooses to deliver the message to all people in English. Moses was not from amongst the Hebrew nation, and the Arabs were not expecting the Mahdi to rise from the West. Moses left the land of Pharaoh in the same way Aba Al-Sadiq left the land of America from the Pharaoh of this time. As the world struggles with injustice and seeks a divine leader and saviour, the prophecy of the sun rising from the west offers a message of divine intervention and guidance. Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem stands as a testament to the enduring power of eschatological beliefs and hope in fulfilling prophecies; bridging the ancient and modern worlds and heralding a new era of spiritual awakening and justice. His emergence to spread justice and equity in the land, signifies the beginning of his movement to eradicate injustice and inequity, beginning from the West and eventually moving back to his origins in the East. And along with his devoted companions and supporters, the Qaim will work to build a Divine Just State on Earth, where the rule of satan will end and God’s Kingdom on Earth will be established.