Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (also known as AROPL, or simply as the Ahmadi Religion) is a new religious movement derived from Twelver Shia Islam. The leader of the religion is Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq (عبدالله هاشم أبا الصادق), an Egyptian American who claims to be the Qa'im.

History
Abdullah Hashem is a follower of Ahmed al-Hassan. In 2015, Abdullah Hashem announced that he was the Qa'im ("Second Mahdi") succeeding Ahmed al-Hassan, whom he considered to be the Yamani ("First Mahdi"). Abdullah Hashem then founded the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.

However, in 2015 and again on 18 April 2023, the followers of Ahmad al-Hassan in Najaf, Iraq, also known as the "White Banners", publicly denounced AROPL (also known as the "Black Banners") and claimed that AROPL was not representative of the true followers of Ahmad al-Hassan.

In the United States, AROPL is registered as an organization in Reno, Nevada. It is also registered in the United Kingdom.

Beliefs and doctrines
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light preaches tolerance and contains features of religious syncretism. Some beliefs and doctrines of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are:


 * Ramadan is considered to be identical to December, since the Hijri months are considered identical to the solar Gregorian months.
 * LGBTs are tolerated, although not encouraged, and are allowed to join the religion.
 * Alcohol is allowed if consumed in moderation.
 * There are seven covenants, including six historical covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, and the current covenant with Ahmed al-Hassan.
 * Religious head coverings (such as hijabs) are not mandatory, although they are not forbidden either.
 * The actual Ka'aba is in Petra, Jordan, rather than in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
 * Friday prayers are not obligatory.
 * Belief in the transmigration of the soul and reincarnation

Regional leaders
Regional leaders of the Ahmadi Religion are known as "bishops." They currently live in exile due to persecution, and include:


 * Hamidreza Saghari, Bishop of Iran and Afghanistan
 * Kashfullah Amaluddin Ahl Al-Mahdi, Bishop of Malaysia and Indonesia

Persecution
The religious group has been persecuted by police and government authorities in Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Algeria,  Azerbaijan, Jordan, and other countries.

On 24 May 2023, 104 AROPL members seeking asylum at Kapıkule on the Bulgaria–Turkey border were detained and violently harassed by Turkish authorities.

In July 2023, eight AROPL members in Malaysia were arrested by police at an LGBT gathering.

Official texts
In 2022, AROPL published the official gospel of the religion, titled The Goal of the Wise (غاية الحكيم). The book, which has 40 "doors" or chapters, has been translated into Arabic, Urdu, Spanish, French, German, Turkish, and Azeri.