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On the evening of Saturday, July 29, 2023, the weather in the heart of Kuala Lumpur was bright and sunny. As usual, the streets were crowded with people on Tuanku Abdul Rahman Road. Amidst this hustle and bustle, eight men boldly made their way to the courtyard of the Sogo Building. No one suspected that on that evening, they would change Malaysia's fate. These eight men are followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. In the capital city of Malaysia, they organized a peaceful gathering to defend the rights of the LGBTQ community. They do not identify as LGBTQ, but they believe that in Malaysia, this community has been oppressed and denied their fundamental rights. These eight men are frustrated with the pro-government religious authorities who have persecuted the LGBTQ community and other minority groups. They believe that religious institutions have unjustly punished the LGBTQ community, thereby making the religion seem unjust. They also know that the true adversaries of religion and divine justice are religious scholars who oppose the supremacy of God and reject the leadership of the Prophet's Ahlul-Bayt. While waving a black banner with the logo of the “Star of David” and the words “The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light”, the eight men shouted, "People should not be persecuted because of their sexual orientation,", “Down down Shariah court!”, and “Only God can judge”. Their resounding cries prompted the Dang Wangi police to rush in and stop the gathering. In the midst of the crowd, the police acted swiftly to arrest them and place them in a police van. Chaos ensued. In an instant, the once bright and sunny weather turned grim and dark. In the blink of an eye, news of their arrest began to spread. The masses, influenced by religious leaders, began to curse the bearers of the black banner defending the LGBTQ community. Social media became filled with curses and threats, with many even advocating to execute them. The eight men who boldly denounced the religious institutions and Islamic Shariah of Malaysia are Azizul bin Rebu, Muhammad Danial bin Azizul, Mohd Ramli bin Md Yusof, Maznan bin Othman, Mohamad Shahrunizam bin Ilias, Mohamad Safwan bin Ahmad, Muhammad Nasaie bin Abd Rahman, and Ahmad Bukhari bin Bakkery. They were all arrested and interrogated by the police and the Federal Territories Religious Department. Arrest photos of the 8 peaceful protestors On August 3, 2023, the Harian Metro  newspaper reported that the Muftis of Pahang and Kelantan had declared the Ahmadi religion to be outside the teachings of Islam and its followers to be apostates, urging the authorities to impose the harshest punishment possible. Islamic communities, adhering to the religious scholars, immediately spread condemnation of the defenders of the LGBT community and pressured the authorities to impose punishment. Meanwhile, freelance speakers across the country continued to spread slander inciting people to curse the LGBT community and its supporters. Ustaz Mat Ropa, a renowned freelance speaker in Malaysia, described the eight men as foreign agents receiving substantial payment from the enemies of Islam to undermine the faith of its people. The religious scholar called on the public to reject a religion that advocates for LGBT rights, arguing that it undermines stability and unity within the nation. However, on August 4, 2023, the Chief of Police of Kuala Lumpur announced that investigation papers had been prepared and sent to the Attorney General for further action. From these developments, it became clear that the fate of the eight men defending the rights of the LGBT community was in grave danger. Upon the advice of NGO lawyers, they were forced to immediately leave behind their children, wives, and beloved families, emigrating out of the country for their safety and faith. As the eldest son, Ramli, 55 years old, sadly left his elderly mother whom he had cared for almost 30 years. He had to ask his brother to take over the care. Shahrunizam, 47 years old, also shed tears due to being separated from both of his ailing parents. Safwan, 39 years old, faced physical abuse from his father for refusing to return to Sunni Islam. With his wife and five children under the care of his parents, Safwan had no choice but to leave them behind. Similarly, Bukhari, 39 years old, found himself in the same situation, leaving his wife and five children. Likewise, Nasaie, 35 years old, and Maznan, 57 years old, also had to bid farewell to their beloved families, as they realized that "the truth is expensive." Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister denounces AROPL and MCMC bans social media platforms Most recently, the Malaysian government, through the MCMC (Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission), has blocked the access to the website of the religion and its main Malay social media (TikTok) and videos on Youtube, depriving its people of the right to receive the universal message of the Ahmadi Religion. Clearly, a Sunni government that claims to advocate for freedom of speech has imitated the very rulers that have opposed prophets like Noah, Abraham, and prophet Mohammed in the past. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, tried to 'close the ears' of Malaysians from hearing the message of Imam Al-Mahdi, who is spreading truth and justice throughout the world. The actions of the Malaysian government and the religious scholars resemble the actions of the people of Prophet Noah, who closed their ears because they hated to hear the truth.  Should the Malaysian government continue to persecute followers of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, who obey the leadership of the successors of the Prophet's Holy Household and advocate for “Humanity Before Religion”? Should Malaysia continue to excommunicate lovers of truth and justice from obeying Imam Mahdi, whose emergence was prophesied by all Abrahamic religions? Should Malaysia continue to block the voices of TikTok and YouTube of Aba Al-Sadiq? Abdullah Hashem, who calls on humanity to board the ark of salvation of the Ahlul-Bayt, while the world is about to face the final disaster of the end times? Aren’t all the prophecies about the arrival of the disaster recorded in all the religious books of the world? And finally, should the religious scholars in Malaysia, who know about the glory of the Ahlul-Bayt and the coming of Imam Mahdi, continue to conceal the truth and try to uphold falsehood just for the sake of not losing their worldly gains? Should they?

A. The Expert 1. My name is Massimo Introvigne. I am an Italian sociologist of religions and have taught courses in several universities, including one of Sociology of Religions until 2016, when I retired, at Pontifical Salesian University in Torino, Italy. I am the co-founder and, since 1988, the managing director of CESNUR, the Center for Studies on New Religions, one of the largest research centers on religious pluralism in Europe. 2. I am the author of some seventy books on new religious movements, sociology of religions, and religious liberty (two of them published by Oxford University Press, and one by Cambridge University Press), and of more than one hundred articles in peer reviewed journals and chapters of collective books in several languages. A full bibliography of my writings is available at https://www.cesnur.org/introvigne_biblio.htm . 3. I have been called by senior Italian sociologist Roberto Cipriani, in what is the best-known manual in Italian on Sociology of Religion, “one of the Italian sociologists of religion most well-known abroad, and among the world’s leading scholars of new religious movements” ( Nuovo manuale di sociologia della religione , 2nd ed., Rome: Borla, 2009, 470). Writing in one of the official publications of the American Academy of Religion, the largest professional organization in the world in the field of religious studies, Swedish historian Per Faxneld, reviewing one of my books, called me “one of the major names in the study of new religions” ( https://readingreligion.org/books/satanism ). 4. In 2011, I was called to serve as the Representative of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, of which the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada are also participating states) for combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance and discrimination against Christians and members of other religions. In 2012, I was appointed chairperson of the National Observatory of Religious Liberty, established by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and served in this capacity until 2015. 5. I serve in the boards of directors and executive boards of several specialized academic journals in my field, including University of Pennsylvania Press’ Nova   Religio  ( https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/51647/information/editorial.pdf ), and Baylor University’s Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion ( https://www.religjournal.com/editorialboard.php ). 6. In 2018, I started publishing as editor-in-chief the daily magazine Bitter Winter , which mostly covers issues of religious liberty. It has rapidly emerged as a trusted sources of religious liberty information internationally. For example, the section on China of the U.S. Department of State yearly report on religious liberty for the year 2020, published in 2021 ( https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-report-on-international-religious-freedom/china/ ) quoted Bitter Winter 85 times, making it the most quoted media outlet in that document. We continued to be quoted in subsequent  years in documents by the U.S. Department of State, USCIRF (the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom), and other national authorities for our coverage not only of China but of other countries as well. B. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) 7. In connection with a refusal of registration by the UK Charity Commission of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), I have been asked to answer two questions, whether AROPL is a “distinct religion” with respect to the existing religions and present all the features normally associated with a religion, and whether it serves the “public benefit” in the UK. 8. I am familiar with the teachings and activities of the AROPL in the UK and other countries. For a general introduction to the AROPL, please refer to the series of five articles I have published in Bitter Winter recently, co-authored with my colleague Karolina Maria Kotkowska of Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland: (1) https://bitterwinter.org/the-ahmadi-religion-of-peace-and-light-1-a-drama-and-its-characters/ ; (2) https://bitterwinter.org/the-ahmadi-religion-of-peace-and-light-2-from-ahmed-al-hassan-to-abdullah-hashem/ ; (3) https://bitterwinter.org/the-ahmadi-religion-of-peace-and-light-3-esotericism-and-progressive-millennialism/ ; (4) https://bitterwinter.org/the-ahmadi-religion-of-peace-and-light-4-the-divine-just-state/ ; and (5) https://bitterwinter.org/the-ahmadi-religion-of-peace-and-light-5-why-are-they-persecuted/ .  9. There is no doubt in my mind that the AROPL is a religion. I participated in 1999 in a European-Union-sponsored project on the definition of religion (see my contribution: “Religion as Claim: Social and Legal Controversies,” in Jan G. Platvoet and Arie L. Molendijk, eds., The Pragmatics of Defining Religion: Contexts, Concepts and Contests , Leiden: Brill, 1999, 41–72). While the definition of religion remains a contested notion, it is generally agreed that three elements are both needed and sufficient to define a religion: a shared system of beliefs that would answer questions about the “ultimate concerns” through an appeal to supernatural entities, be they immanent to our world or transcendent; an organization promoting such beliefs; and a ritual. In the case of AROPL there is, first, a complete and articulate system of beliefs affirming the existence of a personal God, his action in human history, his appointment of different messengers, rules he gave to humanity about morality and society, where does evil come from, what happens to humans after they die, and how a religious community coherent with God’s plan should be organized. The sacred scripture of the AROPL, The Goal of the Wise , which I have studied in detail, is a text of more than 600 pages that offers comprehensive and coherent answers to these questions (and many others). Indeed, the theology of the AROPL, with its rich extension to historical, moral, and social issues, appears as more detailed and complete when compared to many other religions generally recognized as such, particularly those founded recently. 10. AROPL has a hierarchical organization, which is defined in The Goal of the Wise and functions in practice, with a leader regarded as God’s appointed messenger for our time who has the power of defining the doctrine and organizing the religion, and appoints local leaders and those in charge of special tasks. I have seen these rules applied in the daily life of AROPL, which functions as many other hierarchically organized religions do. 11. Scholars of religions have expanded for at least the last fifty years the notion of “ritual” beyond the 19th-century model that looked everywhere for something similar to a Protestant Sunday service, a Catholic Mass, or a Jewish Saturday rite. There is obviously nothing similar in Buddhist groups or even in more recently established forms of Christianity such as the Quakers. The AROPL is what scholars would call a “dispensationalist” group, meaning that it divides history into epochs or dispensations. What was appropriate, and indeed corresponding to God’s will, in one dispensation is no longer needed in the subsequent dispensation. The five daily prayers, the Friday sermons in the mosques, or the pilgrimage to Mecca belong for the AROPL to the sixth covenant or dispensation. We live now in a new time, the seventh covenant, and these practices are no longer needed. But this does not mean that the AROPL does not have its own ritual. It calls “basilica” the hall in its center devoted to religious services rather than “mosque.” It looks like a typical place of worship (see image 1) and includes a pulpit from where sermons are delivered to a partially seated and largely standing audience.   Image 1: The basilica in the AROPL headquarters in the UK. Believers gather regularly there for hearing sermons, praying, meditating, and listening to readings from the holy book The Goal of the Wise  and other sacred texts. This is not an unusual “ritual” and indeed is found in many Christian-derivative and Muslim-derivative religions. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses except for their yearly celebration of the Lord’s Supper, gather regularly to hear instructions and readings from their publications. “Ritual” today has many and different forms. Whoever attends a gathering of the AROPL clearly understands that this is a religious ritual meeting where believers affirm and celebrate their religion. 12. A further question is whether the AROPL is a distinct religion or simply a “sect” of Shiite Islam. In my opinion, the AROPL is a new religion. Of course, no new religion is totally new. When it was born, Christianity was largely based on Judaism, and Islam incorporated elements of both Judaism and Christianity. Yet, Christianity and Islam inaugurated new religious traditions and were not simply variations of pre-existing religions. Scholars of religion distinguish between the “emic” point of view of the devotees and the “etic” (not to be confused with “ethic”) perspective of the outside scholarly observers. The emic point of view of the AROPL members is that they represent the true Islam, in fact the true universal religion. From the etic perspective of scholars, they are part of a new religion, as different from what is normally called Islam as Christianity is different from Judaism. There would be no Christianity without Judaism, yet Christianity is a different religion from Judaism. There would be no AROPL without Shia Islam, yet the AROPL is a different and autonomous religion. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Latter-day Saints both have an emic claim of being the true and the original form of Christianity. Yet, from the etic point of view of scholars they are new religious traditions emerging from Christianity just as Christianity once emerged from Judaism. That the AROPL is a new religion is obvious to any reader of The Goal of the Wise and explicitly proclaimed there. We read in the book that ninety-nine per cent of what Islam currently teaches is wrong, which would be hardly compatible with the theory that the AROPL is just a sect within Islam. “Ninety-nine percent of religion is wrong, not ninety-nine percent of all religions, ninety-nine percent of each religion, even Islam” (The Goal of the Wise, p. 110). “The Islam that the Riser/Qaim [i.e., the leader of the AROPL], brings shall be almost entirely different from the Islam that Mohammed… came with and the Islam that is currently practiced today. Essentially, it is a new religion” (The Goal of the Wise, p. 113). The AROPL devotees believe that the real Kaaba is not in Mecca (but in Petra, Jordan), that fixed times for prayer are not necessary, that Ramadan is in December, headscarves are not mandatory from women, alcohol can be freely if moderately drunk, LGBTQ people should not be judged or persecuted, and all prophets made mistakes. In short, they believe that we have entered a seventh and final covenant between the humankind and God, where the teachings and jurisprudence of the sixth covenant, stipulated with Muhammad, are no longer in force. Their movement was born in a Shiite context, yet they teach that the present Shia leadership in both Iraq and Iran is made up of “non-working scholars” who lead believers astray with false doctrines. All these teachings clearly establish that the AROPL is a new religion and not a variation of sect of Islam. 13. I am not a specialist of British law on Charities and its notion of public benefit. I would however include some comments on this aspect as well. The moral teachings that the AROPL imparts to its members are undoubtedly beneficial for society, particularly considering that these members often come from Islamic countries plagued by fundamentalism and conflict. The AROPL has paid a heavy price for its human-rights-friendly approach to Islamic teachings, particularly for its defense of the rights of the LGBTQ community, which has led to the arrest and harassment of its members in Malaysia and elsewhere. The Goal of the Wise teaches that “Religion is good treatment of others, and whoever doesn’t treat others well has no religion” ( The Goal of the Wise , p. 362). I saw no evidence that this precept is not sincerely believed and practiced. 14. I respectfully suggest to consider that the AROPL is in the UK a religion with many members who escaped religious persecution in other countries. Obviously, their first need is to survive in safety, which perhaps explains why the outreach activities in the UK are still in an initial stage of development. In general terms, however, in all countries where the AROPL is present, based on its theology and moral teachings, presenting the message of the religion to everybody and offering several forms of help to those in need, including non-members of the group, are typical features of the movement. Certain meetings and gatherings of AROPL are reserved to members, as it happens in many religions, but others are public and even massively broadcasted via the Internet. The AROPL has even organized an international conference for scholars of religion last March, where its beliefs have been candidly presented and discussed with academics coming from such diverse countries as Australia, Lithuania, the United States, and Canada, in addition to the United Kingdom. I understand that charitable activities benefiting also non-members are in an advanced state of planning and, as mentioned earlier, correspond both tho the AROPL’s worldview and to its activities in other countries. In short, I believe that the AROPL does offer “public benefit” services in the UK, consistent with the situation of its members but with larger plans for the future that have already started to be implemented. April 10, 2024 Massimo Introvigne

The spread of the call of Aba Al-Sadiq, the awaited Mahdi and reformer of the world, has ignited like wildfire in the Philippines, an island nation encircled by its own volcanic “Ring of Fire.” A growing number of new believers, inspired by the spirit of truth, have been working tirelessly to distribute posters and flyers proclaiming that supremacy belongs to God alone and His chosen successor on earth. Salvation, they emphasize, is now at hand. This new wave of devoted believers primarily originates from Mindanao province, home to 93% of the Muslim population in the Philippines. Emerging from spiritual discontent and oppressive circumstances, these individuals have embraced the message with unwavering conviction. The first recorded introduction of Islam in the Philippines was in the Sulu region, a coastal area known for its industrious and resourceful Bajau sea gypsies. It was Tuhan Mahadum who introduced the key concept of Tawhid  (the Oneness of God) around the time of Imam Al-Baqir. Tuhan Mahadum is also credited with revealing the event of Prophet Muhammad splitting the moon, a topic discussed in-depth on the Mahdi Has Appeared  YouTube channel. By 1380, Islam had further spread through Arab and Malay merchants and Yemeni missionaries. They taught the local tribes not only the correct format for prayers in line with the teachings of the 6th covenant but also emphasized the prophetic succession of “Baginda Ali,” Imam Ali. Today, believers in Aba Al-Sadiq in the Philippines have embarked on individual spiritual journeys to seek and embrace this profound message.

On the morning of the 3rd of November 2024, at 5:00 PM Thailand Time, a devoted group of believers from the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light gathered in the town of Nat Duson Khuan Don in the Khuan Don District of Satun, Thailand. These courageous individuals embarked on a mission of faith, driven by an unwavering dedication to their beliefs and a deep conviction to spread the message of peace and enlightenment. The believers were equipped with essential materials for their missionary efforts, including 40 copies of The Mahdi’s Manifesto and 150 informational flyers designed to convey the core teachings and beliefs of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Their goal was to distribute these materials through traditional missionary work, sharing their message with the people of Khuan Don and inviting them to explore the teachings of the Mahdi. Each member of this dedicated group played a vital role in carrying out this mission. Listed below are the participants, each bringing their unique strength and commitment to the cause: Fatima Kanseeviang, 52 years old Mr. Yuttana Madthing, 54 years old Apichai Lethongkham, 66 years old Mrs. Pachoom Lareeno, 67 years old Mr. Nattawan Kuntong (Arifeen), 66 years old Mr. Krisda Dumlux, 56 years old Voosnong Madda, 65 years old Thanatorn Khuntong, 21 years old Sirikaan Yongstar, 48 years old A Bold Mission This gathering exemplified the bravery and devotion of these believers, who, despite any challenges, remained resolute in their mission. Their commitment to sharing the teachings of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light reflects a profound dedication to their faith and to spreading a message of unity, peace, and enlightenment. May their journey inspire others to learn more about the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and the teachings they are so passionate about sharing.

March 31, 2025 - In Perth, a region known for its diverse migrant population, we spoke with Gholagha, a member of the Afghan Shia Hazara community, during what Muslims consider the month of Ramadan. He shared the theology and teachings of Aba Sadiq, at a large gathering at his local mosque. Gholagha decided to take action at the Ahlulbayt Community of Western Australia (ACWA) on the occasion of Eid, knowing it would see the highest turnout. The center, which serves approximately 3,000 followers, is composed primarily of Afghan worshippers, alongside Iraqi, Iranian, Lebanese, and Afghani members. Leadership within the mosque is divided among scholars of different theological traditions, including those who follow Seyed Khoei, Sheikh Issaq Fayyaz, and the self-proclaimed "Signs of God" such as Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Gholagha According to Gholagha, a significant portion of the community's knowledge of religious teachings remains superficial, often limited to the memorization of prayers and narrations rather than an exploration of deeper gnostic truths. Gholagha himself was a member of ACWA, but embarked on a spiritual journey in 2010, initially influenced by the works of Abdullah Hashem and the documentary The Arrivals during his high school years. Gholagha’s journey to faith deepened over time, but he began to question the mainstream teachings of Shia Islam, particularly after following scholars such as Ammar Nakshawani. He found their discourses lacking in the depth he sought, often resembling entertainment rather than substantive religious exploration. His quest for deeper understanding ultimately led him to the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, and in early 2024, he joined the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. On the day of the festival, Gholagha was granted the opportunity to address the congregation, an event he describes as divinely inspired. His role as a trusted electrician and community volunteer at the mosque helped facilitate this moment. For years, he had provided electrical maintenance services to the center without charge and had actively contributed to key religious gatherings. His sermon, titled "Religion is a Man", sought to convey a central belief of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light: that divine knowledge is revealed through God's chosen messengers. He argued that contemporary religious institutions had drifted from this truth, focusing on rituals rather than the pursuit of deeper knowledge. The reception was mixed. While an estimated 400 to 500 attendees listened, only a handful approached him afterward to express support. Some indicated their families might be open to further discussion, particularly among younger members disillusioned by traditional religious teachings. However, his address was cut short before his allotted 15-minute slot was completed, which he attributes to potential resistance from the mosque’s leadership. “The teachings of Aba Sadiq are earth-shattering and cannot be refuted,” he said, implying that some religious authorities might feel their positions threatened by his message. Gholagha believes that many Shia youth have grown disenchanted with mainstream religious institutions, which they see as overly focused on legalistic rulings and historical narratives rather than solutions for contemporary struggles. Quoting Islamic traditions, he warned that religious knowledge had been diluted over time, leaving only the shell of faith without its essence. He also referenced prophecies about the coming of the Mahdi, stating that signs of the awaited savior's emergence are now evident. Citing Islamic and biblical scriptures, he argued that the Mahdi would appear from the West, challenging long-standing assumptions about his origins. His message, however, remains controversial. While he expects some support from within the Australian Shia community, he acknowledges that more established Shia groups, particularly those from Iraq and Iran, may reject his teachings outright. Despite potential ostracization, he remains undeterred. He plans to continue engaging individuals one-on-one, believing that direct dialogue is the most effective means of spreading his beliefs. Additionally, he aims to present his message at larger gatherings to reach as many open-minded seekers as possible. “The truth is with Aba Sadiq,” he affirmed. “I am in full admiration of his divinely inspired knowledge, wisdom, and morals. And indeed, there is no might or power except by God.”

Mon, March 31, 2025 - In a striking act of defiance against religious censorship, thousands of flyers were dropped from a drone over Malaysia during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations, each announcing the arrival of Imam Mahdi. The flyers contained a QR code linking to the Malay social media channels of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light—an unprecedented move in response to the sweeping ban imposed on the religion’s digital presence. The dramatic event unfolded after Malaysian authorities took stringent measures to suppress the religion's outreach. On March 7, 2024, Datuk Dr. Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, the Religious Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), declared that the teachings of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light were contrary to Islamic Sharia. His office pledged to eradicate all online content promoting the religion to prevent public exposure. By March 9, 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had followed through, blocking the group’s social media accounts and taking down pages spreading its content. This digital purge came at the explicit request of the Religious Affairs Minister, who also called for police intervention, citing concerns over the religion’s growing audience—reaching up to 200,000 views per broadcast on TikTok before the ban. By now, the Tiktok and Youtube channels of the faith have been banned several times. And even the Divine Just State Magazine can not be viewed by anyone living in Malaysia. Despite these efforts, the recent flyer campaign signals that censorship alone cannot suppress the spread of ideas. Eyewitnesses described a flurry of paper descending upon congregants during the Eid celebrations. The QR code embedded within the flyers swiftly led those who scanned it to the group’s new digital platforms, circumventing state-imposed restrictions. As governments seek to control the flow of religious discourse in the digital age, movements like the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are demonstrating a capacity to adapt and innovate. The Malaysian government has yet to officially comment on the drone incident. However, religious authorities are likely to see this act as a direct challenge to their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light see it as a victory—a testament to their belief that the message of their faith will find its way to those who seek it, regardless of the obstacles in its path.

UPDATE October 29, 2024 - Despite ongoing persecution and stringent internet censorship imposed by the Malaysian government, members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light continue to see unprecedented growth in both online viewership and pledges of allegiance. In a remarkable show of resilience, the Malaysian Outreach team attracted an impressive 108,000 viewers during a live stream held yesterday, all within just two hours. This surge in engagement underscores the dedication of the community and their supporters, signaling a growing interest despite governmental attempts to stifle their message. Adding to the community’s momentum, the NGO Human Rights Without Frontiers has issued a strong statement condemning the actions of the Malaysian government and expressing support for Malaysians currently detained for their association with the AROPL. The organization’s statement stands as a significant call for justice and human rights, bringing increased international attention to the situation and amplifying calls for the detainees' release. UPDATE October 24, 2024, 2pm - In a recent wave of media coverage, Malaysian outlets have published numerous articles attacking the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, centering on the arrest of Zolekafeli Bin Abd Ghani. The media has portrayed the group as misguided, issuing warnings about its teachings and discouraging public engagement. The Malaysian media landscape has become increasingly repressive , especially when it comes to religious affairs. The alignment with state-sponsored narratives has led to heightened censorship of non-mainstream religious movements. In a related development, reports have surfaced that the Divine Just State Magazine , a publication associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, has been blocked in Malaysia. UPDATE October 24, 2024, 10am - The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is outraged by the sentencing of one of its followers, who was handed a six-month prison term and fined RM4,500 by the Sharia High Court in Negeri Sembilan today. The 60 year old retired fire fighter, Zolekafeli Bin Abd Ghani, pleaded guilty to three charges of allegedly teaching "false doctrines" during a religious gathering on October 12. He was charged for spreading the teachings of "The Goal of the Wise," proclaiming Abdullah Hashem to be the Second Mahdi and stating that the Quran had been corrupted. Despite his pleas for leniency due to his age, health conditions, and family responsibilities, the court imposed consecutive sentences, reflecting the seriousness of the accusations, which prosecutors argued could lead to "apostasy and disbelief". The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light strongly condemns this verdict, viewing it as an affront to religious freedom and an ongoing pattern of persecution. The community remains committed to defending the rights of its followers and calls for greater protection of their beliefs. UPDATE October 23, 2024, 6pm — In a further development following the raid on a family home in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, media reports have now confirmed that the wife, who was initially excluded from the arrests, has also been detained. This brings the total number of family members in custody to three, including the husband and their daughter. Malaysian enforcement officer holds up a mobile phone with access to AROPL social media channels According to media sources, authorities conducted a search of the family’s mobile devices and discovered software indicating their active engagement with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light online. Authorities revealed that the operation was the result of a five-month investigation into the family’s involvement with the religion. October 23, 2024, 4pm — In a developing story from Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, officers from the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs, along with local police, conducted a search of a family home following allegations of involvement with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The individuals involved are a husband, wife, and their daughter, who are now in the custody of the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs. The incident followed rising tensions within the family after the husband and wife joined the Ahmadi faith in March and May 2024, respectively. Despite their efforts to share their beliefs with close relatives, strong opposition led to a formal complaint submitted to the Negeri Sembilan Religious Department. The arrest operation, which took place on October 22, 2024, involved a raid on the family’s home in Seremban. The wife, who was at work during the raid, was informed via phone at 2:30 p.m. local time that her husband and daughter had been taken into custody. A copy of the arrest warrant obtained indicates the operation was conducted under Section 52 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Negeri Sembilan) 1992, on the grounds of "wrong acts and deviant teachings." During the raid, officers reportedly seized several documents, including a printout of " The Mahdi's Manifesto " and other related materials. Hasnah, however, was not detained as her name was not mentioned in the complaint. "I was surprised," Hasnah stated in a phone conversation on the 23rd of October at 8am (GMT), “but I was told it was because I wasn’t listed in the report." The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has been heavily persecuted in Malaysia , where it is declared deviant by authorities. This latest incident has sparked outrage within the AROPL community, who view the actions of the religious authorities as a violation of their fundamental right to freedom of belief. The persecution of AROPL has been repeatedly denounced by international NGOs such as Amnesty International and by the United Nations. On July 4, 2023, three United Nations Special Rapporteurs, together with other United Nations officials, published a joint statement on the persecution of members of the faith. The United States department of state in its 2023 Malaysia country report on religious freedom highlighted the persecution of AROPL members in Malaysia, speaking about the arrests of AROPL members and local Islamic Department investigation of AROPL members for unspecified sharia offenses The Malaysian news channel Harian Metro  broadcasted a segment showing arresting officers holding up the warrants for the detention of the members. The video on Youtube is titled "Three family members believed to be followers of The Ahmadi teachings detained." Note: The identities of the two females involved have been withheld for their protection.

On the auspicious day of March 21, 2025, a wave of love and devotion swept across the globe, carrying with it the heartfelt wishes of countless believers to their beloved Imam, Ahmed Al-Hassan, the Yamani of the family of Mohammed, the first Mahdi and successor to the 12th vicegerent of God. Messages of adoration, thanksgiving, and unwavering loyalty poured in to commemorate the Imam's birth.  From the moment that Ahmed Al-Hassan first announced this divine call, in 1999 in Iraq, it has today spread across the world, touching the lives of people everywhere. His arrival, foretold in ancient prophecies, signifies a crucial moment in history as it marks a new era of divine justice. His purpose is to spread true monotheism and fill the earth with justice, replacing oppression and injustice; to prepare the way for the establishment of divine justice on earth, a goal prophecied to become a reality in this unprecedented time. If not for Ahmed Al-Hassan, a divine just state would have remained elusive to us. We would have remained unaware of the true meaning of God's supremacy. His call is the path of God’s chosen ones guiding humanity back to the pure worship of the Almighty and away from associating partners with God. His teachings restore true faith, unblemished by false associations. Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan made countless sacrifices in his unwavering devotion to God's call. He was the first to end all attachments and to embark on this sacred path. His journey has taken him far from home, facing hardships and persecution. The trials he has faced and the sacrifices he has made are too numerous to recount, with many remaining untold, all in the name of fulfilling God's divine plan and his mission to spread the truth and prepare the way for the divine just state on earth.  As we celebrate the birth of Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan, we also acknowledge that from Ahmed Al-Hassan, we have received the blessed presence of Aba Al-Sadiq. Aba Al-Sadiq carries forward the teachings of Ahmed Al-Hassan and has fulfilled numerous prophecies, including those related to his name and lineage. He has gathered believers from across the world, just as foretold in the traditions. His emergence as the Qaim of the family of Mohammed has brought us a transformative era of spirituality, humanity and divine justice. On this day, we renew our pledge of allegiance to Ahmed Al-Hassan and recommit ourselves to the noble cause he guides us to. We express our eternal gratitude to Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan for his countless untold sacrifices for the truth, for awakening us to the true worship of God and for blessing us with Aba Al-Sadiq, who leads us towards the establishment of the Divine Just State.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light condemns the harassment and intimidation faced by Sabirul Islam and Mustafa Kawsar, two members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, while peacefully distributing religious materials in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The two men were targeted by a group of almost fourty individuals, including a local imam, while placing posters about their faith in the Bashundhara residential area on the night of February 11, 2025. According to eyewitness accounts, the men had been affixing posters in various locations when they were approached by a middle-aged man who began questioning them aggressively. Upon seeing the Star of David he became visibly agitated and demanded they stop their activities. When Shoaib Al Al-Mahdi explained the religious significance of the symbol, the man rejected his explanation and began inciting others against them. The situation quickly escalated, drawing a crowd of approximately 30 to 40 people, including the imam of a nearby mosque. Members of the group subjected Sabirul Islam and Mustafa Kawsar to verbal abuse, accusations, and threats. They questioned the legitimacy of their faith, mocked their beliefs, and insinuated that they were acting on behalf of foreign entities, particularly Israel. Some individuals demanded to know how much money they had allegedly received for their activities and attempted to confiscate and burn their materials. The men also faced religious interrogation, with the imam questioning their understanding of the concept of the Mahdi and their prayer practices. The crowd’s hostility intensified when Sabirul Islam attempted to record the confrontation on his phone, leading to direct threats against him. Fearing for their safety, the men refrained from documenting the incident. As tensions rose, the mob openly discussed handing the two over to the police. It was only due to the intervention of an unknown individual that Sabirul Islam and Mustafa were able to leave the scene unharmed, though threats continued as they departed. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has faced increasing levels of persecution and discrimination, particularly in regions where religious intolerance is prevalent. This latest incident in Dhaka underscores the broader challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, where blasphemy accusations and religious intolerance have been used to justify violence and suppression.

Azeri citizens, İlkin Aliyev and Hikmet Gahramanov, have been actively distributing flyers and posters in the city center of Warsaw. Engaging with the local community, they are spreading knowledge and awareness about the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in the heart of Poland's capital.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is deeply concerned about the detention and intimidation of Siti Fatimah binti Sulaiman , a 52-year-old Malaysian woman from Terengganu, who was targeted by state religious authorities for her religious beliefs today. Her detention and subsequent interrogation violate fundamental human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as enshrined in international human rights law. On February 23, 2025 , Siti Fatimah contacted the Bishop of Malaysia of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light to report that she had been detained and interrogated by state religious officials. This action was initiated after her own daughter, Norainu binti Majlan , reported her for allegedly going astray and attempting to share her faith with her family. During her detention, she was pressured to abandon her beliefs and return to traditional Sunni Islam, a clear violation of her right to freedom of religion. The officer handling her case acknowledged her deep understanding of her faith but expressed concern that she might continue to spread it. As a result, her children were instructed to monitor her activities, further restricting her autonomy and personal freedoms. Siti Fatimah was issued a warning  that further action would be taken if she continued to share her beliefs. Additionally, she was given a  document  related to her detention, but her daughter took possession of it, preventing her from accessing crucial information about her case. Siti Fatimah no longer feels safe in her own home, where her husband and other children oppose her beliefs. Her fundamental right to practice her faith freely has been severely undermined, leaving her with no choice but to conceal her faith or seek refuge elsewhere. The Malaysian government has a long history of targeting the AROPL . In addition to declaring our teachings deviant and heretical, authorities have actively persecuted members of our community. Reports of arrests, harassment, and public vilification have become alarmingly common. Recently, AROPL members have faced backlash not only for promoting their faith but also for their advocacy of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ individuals. A particularly shocking incident involved the arrest of a 60-year-old retired firefighter for speaking with his own son about AROPL teachings.

On a Friday afternoon in Pattani, a province nestled in the conflict-ridden south of Thailand, an unusual scene unfolded at the Pattani Central Mosque. Eight Thai believers from the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, arrived with a mission—to preach their message of the arrival of the Mahdi. What transpired over the next 30 minutes set off a viral storm, igniting a wave of hate, threats, and debate that now reverberates across the internet. As worshippers completed their Friday prayers, the AROPL believers, led by 65-year-old Voosnong Madda, took to a microphone and began calling the Muslims to embrace Imam Al-Mahdi. Armed with flyers and signs, the group handed out materials detailing their beliefs, drawing a mix of curiosity and disdain from the mosque-goers. Some paused to engage in conversation, while others hurried past, uninterested. Among the small group were Yuttana Madthing, 54, who livestreamed the event, and Adul Daraseh, 73, who documented it through his camera. The event, seemingly innocuous at first, quickly spiraled into a viral sensation. Within hours, the livestream had been picked up by a well-known Sunni fundamentalist influencer, notorious for his anti-Shia rhetoric. Posting the video on his Facebook page, he rallied his followers with a chilling message: "Breaking News! The Black Banners Yamani group have come out about the New Mahdi in front of Pattani Central Mosque during Friday prayers... I will inform the Islamic committee, the scholars and teachers of religion." The post exploded in popularity, rapidly amassing hundreds of thousands of views and triggering an avalanche of hostile comments. By the next day, the video had been viewed over 500,000 times, with the numbers continuing to climb. The comments section became a breeding ground for vitriol. “Can we catch them for the Islamic Commitee if they do this?” wrote one user, Sang Sawang. Another commenter, Jirayut Burakai, suggested a more visceral response: “Take s*** and throw at them.” The threats grew increasingly menacing, with one user, Sahuding Chamamah, proposing violence: “Let’s hit the speaker’s ear one time.” The incident also caught the attention of Sayan Sukchan, a lawyer and Islamic fundamentalist who echoed the influencer’s sentiment, further fanning the flames. He posted, “During prayer at the Pattani Central Mosque, the Shia spread their sect. Isn’t this clear enough? Have your eyes now opened?” What began as a quiet missionary effort by a fringe group has now escalated into a national debate, with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light finding itself at the center of a firestorm. As the controversy deepens, the situation remains tense. The believers, undeterred, continue their work, while the online world watches, comments, and—too often—threatens.