The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) expresses deep outrage over the recent sentencing and arrests of its followers in Malaysia, underscoring the escalating persecution faced by the community. On October 22, 2024, the Sharia High Court in Negeri Sembilan handed down a six-month prison sentence and a fine of RM4,500 to Zolekafeli Bin Abd Ghani, a 60-year-old retired firefighter, for allegedly teaching “false doctrines.” Zolekafeli was charged for proclaiming his belief in Aba Al-Sadiq, the leader of the faith, and for stating that the Quran had been corrupted. Despite pleas for leniency due to his age, health, and family obligations, the court imposed consecutive sentences, citing the risk of “apostasy and disbelief.”
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light condemns this verdict as a outragous violation of religious freedom and as part of a broader pattern of systemic persecution. The community remains resolute in defending the rights of its followers and calls for increased protections to uphold their beliefs.
Following a raid on their home in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, conducted by the Department of Islamic Religious Affairs and local police, the wife and daughter of Zolekafeli Bin Abd Ghani have also been detained, bringing the total number of family members in custody to three. Authorities claim that a five-month investigation uncovered evidence of the family’s active engagement with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light online, which led to the October 22 operation.
The raid, triggered by complaints from close relatives opposing the family’s decision to join the Ahmadi faith earlier this year, resulted in the confiscation of religious documents, including “The Mahdi’s Manifesto.” authored by the leader of the faith. The arrest warrants, issued under Section 52 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment (Negeri Sembilan) 1992, accused the family of spreading “wrong acts and deviant teachings.” Notably, the wife, initially excluded from the operation, was later detained after a search of the family’s mobile devices revealed further evidence of her involvement with the faith.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light views these actions as an appalling assault on the fundamental right to freedom of belief. The community has long been subjected to discrimination and persecution in Malaysia, where it has been officially declared deviant by religious authorities. This latest incident has sparked widespread outrage within the Ahmadi community and beyond.
Harian Metro, a local news channel, aired footage of the arresting officers displaying the warrants for the detained family members. The video, titled “Three Family Members Believed to be Followers of the Ahmadi Teachings Detained,” is currently circulating online, drawing significant attention to the case.
A further video released by Buletin TV3, a local television channel, showing Zolekafeli Bin Abd Ghani being escorted by police officers at the court has sparked outrage within the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light community, for portraying innocent members of the faith as criminials and fueling the risk of vigilante violence against the community.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light calls on international human rights organizations and the global community to strongly condemn these actions and advocate for the protection of religious freedoms in Malaysia. The AROPL remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting its members and challenging the ongoing persecution of those who wish to peacefully practice their faith.
