A religious sect led by a man who claims to be the new pope is operating from a former orphanage in Crewe, Cheshire, where at least a dozen children are being home-schooled. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) was founded by Abdullah Hashem, a former documentary maker who now proclaims himself the 'saviour of mankind' and uses YouTube and TikTok to recruit followers.
Hashem urges his followers to sell their possessions and donate their salaries to his cause. The group blends Islamic theology with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens. About 100 followers live at the Crewe headquarters, Webb House, a Grade II-listed building worth £2m. The group relocated there in 2021 after being effectively barred from Sweden, where it was previously based, following revelations that businesses linked to the organisation provided sham visas.
Former members have expressed concern about the wellbeing and education of the children living at the compound. Cheshire East Council’s social services have made inquiries but found no evidence that action was necessary. Hashem’s scripture, 'The Goal of the Wise', declares that followers have a 'duty' to donate their entire salary and sell their houses or land to fund his mission to create a 'divine' state. One former member said she handed over all her wedding money; another donated about £33,000.
A lawyer for AROPL and Hashem denied that members were encouraged to ostracise relatives or tightly controlled, and said that permanent residents were expected to sell assets to help sustain themselves and the movement, in common with other religious orders. The lawyer also denied that any practices involving birds of paradise, which Hashem’s scripture claims can cure epilepsy, were conducted.
The group says it is a peaceful, open and transparent religious movement derived from Shia Islam that has faced persecution around the world. Amnesty International and UN experts have criticised alleged mistreatment of AROPL members, calling them a persecuted religious minority.
