MOROCCO: Two young members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light arrested
HRWF (28.02.2025) – On 20 February, two young members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, Yahya Marfouk (24) and Huzaifa Azuz (19) were arrested and detained by Moroccan security forces during a violent raid on their home in Khouribga.
Several police vans surrounded the residence, blocking access to the street, before security personnel stormed the house and arrested the two young men.
The police operation took place after the two young men had publicly manifested their specific faith by displaying posters and a banner with the words, “Allegiance is to God” and a picture of their spiritual leader.
On 27 February they were presented to the general prosecutor at the first instance tribunal in Khouribga for the charges of “Undermining the faith of Muslims through employing incitement or threats” (art. 220 of Moroccan penal code).
Members of that faith are considered “heretics” both in Sunni and Shia majority countries.
What is the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light?
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is a Shia-derivative new religious movement that emerged in the chaotic post-Saddam-Hussein Iraq. It was founded in 1999 by Ahmed al-Hassan, a civil engineer born in 1968 in Basra. The leader of the religious community is currently the Egyptian American Abdullah Hashem.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Community founded in the 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad within a Sunni context, with which it has no relations.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light professes divergent beliefs from the traditional Shia and Sunni teachings. Their followers believe that the real Kaaba is not in Mecca (but in Petra, Jordan), that all the prophets throughout the history of Islam made mistakes, that fixed times for prayers are not necessary, that Ramadan is in December, that headscarves should not be mandatory for women, that alcohol can be freely but moderately drunk. They accept LGBTQ people in their community and believe they should not be stigmatized or persecuted. Many reasons to be persecuted as “heretics” in Muslim majority countries.
The background of the arrest
The young men had sought refuge in Khouribga after enduring persecution in Tetouan, where Huzaifa’s father had reportedly threatened him for practicing the Ahmadi faith. These threats escalated to a disturbing series of events, including two forced institutionalizations in a mental asylum. Desperate for safety, Huzaifa fled to Yahya’s home in Khouribga, where he had been staying temporarily.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light has called for the immediate release of Yahya Marfouk and Huzaifa Azuz, urging Moroccan authorities to cease all actions that hinder the free practice of their religion. In a statement, the organization also appealed to the international community to stand in solidarity with the victims of religious persecution and to advocate for the protection of religious freedoms around the world.
The Moroccan media
Since the arrest, Moroccan state media has issued several articles claiming that the content of the posters displayed by the two young men was insulting to Islamic religious institutions and to Islam itself. Furthermore, the Moroccan government’s propaganda has spread false information, attempting to portray Yahya and Huzaifa as terrorists. These accusations are baseless.