British law enforcement arrested ten individuals connected to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) during coordinated raids across northwest England on April 29, 2026. The operation involved approximately 500 officers executing search warrants at three locations, including the sect’s headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. Those arrested face allegations of modern slavery, forced marriage, and serious sexual offenses reportedly committed in 2023.
Authorities were prompted by a complaint received in March 2026 from a woman who previously belonged to the religious group. The alleged crimes stem from her accusations, and all arrests relate directly to her statement. The detainees include seven men and three women of various nationalities: two Americans, two Mexicans, a British man, an Italian woman, a Spanish man, a Swedish woman, and an Egyptian man, according to Cheshire Police.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley emphasized that the investigation targets those specific allegations, not the religious beliefs of AROPL members. “This is not an investigation into the religion, this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us,” he said.
Background on AROPL
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a sect with roots in Shiite Islam, widely regarded as heretical by mainstream Muslim communities. Its controversial doctrines diverge significantly from traditional Islamic practice, permitting alcohol consumption and not requiring ritual prayers.
The group’s leader, Abdullah Hashem, an Egyptian-American, proclaimed himself the Mahdi—a messianic figure in Islam—in 2015. Hashem has also claimed the titles of the true pope and Jesus Christ’s successor. Prior to founding AROPL, he produced documentaries related to UFO religions and conspiracy theories intertwining Islamic scripture with Illuminati narratives.
AROPL moved its headquarters to the U.K. from Sweden in 2021, after Swedish authorities revoked residency permits for many members. The sect previously operated in Egypt and Germany but faced bans and crackdowns in certain Muslim-majority countries.
AROPL’s U.K. Base and Community
The Crewe compound, housed in a Grade II-listed former orphanage, reportedly accommodates about 150 people, including 56 children who are homeschooled. The group is known for a strong online presence promoting Hashem’s proclaimed miraculous abilities.
The U.S. Embassy in London has not issued comments on the arrests of the two American nationals involved. AROPL has declined to comment directly but has denied any wrongdoing through its legal representatives.
Why it matters
The arrests highlight growing law enforcement scrutiny of fringe religious groups accused of human rights abuses in the U.K. The case raises concerns about modern slavery and forced marriage within insular communities and underscores challenges in balancing religious freedom with protection from exploitation.
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Sources
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