The written statement expresses deep concern over the arrest and prosecution of six members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Jordan. This is a new religious movement founded in 1999 that finds its roots in Twelver Shia Islam.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a small community in Jordan that faces ongoing challenges, including harassment from authorities, threats of violence, and exclusion from society due to their divergent beliefs from traditional Muslim views. Their beliefs include that the real Kaaba is in Petra, Jordan rather than Mecca, that prophets made mistakes, that fixed prayer times are unnecessary, and that alcohol can be consumed moderately. They also accept LGBTQ people in their community.
The six arrested members were charged under the Jordanian Penal Code with “insulting religious feelings of others” and “inciting sectarian strife.” They were interrogated about their beliefs, accused of being Iranian agents, and threatened with losing their jobs. They were placed in solitary confinement to prevent the spread of their beliefs.
The statement notes that the Jordanian constitution protects the free exercise of worship, yet the Ahmadi community has faced a systematic campaign of intimidation, harassment, and crackdown by authorities since 2016. Members have reported physical abuse, torture, job losses, and violent attacks on their homes by relatives.
The statement urges the Jordanian government to immediately release the arrested members, safeguard the free exercise of religion for the Ahmadi community, and abide by its commitments under international law, particularly the ICCPR which protects freedom of religion or belief.
