Be Scofield's reporting on cults is cited by the NY Times, Rolling Stone, People, and more. Her work has led to the hit HBO series Love Has Won, as well as Dateline, VICE, the Dr. Phil Show, and a Netflix episode.

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By BE SCOFIELD

4/29/26

Authorities announced today that more than 500 officers from Cheshire Police and neighboring forces raided England’s doomsday cult, known as the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The BBC reports that police arrested six people during the raid. The police have updated it to nine arrests.

"Today's operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation into reports of serious sexual offenses, forced marriage, and modern slavery involving members of a religious group called Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe,” Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley told Nub News.

An exclusive video obtained by the Guru Magazine captures the hectic scene as the police raid unfolded. A staff member of the cult says that the leader Abdullah Hashem has been arrested. "This is religious persecution!" he states. A woman can be heard screaming the leader's name repeatedly in the background.

"The arrests come after Cheshire police were alerted in March about a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland, who had made a complaint of being raped and sexually abused at AROPL’s headquarters," The Guardian reports.

Last year, the Guru Magazine was first to report on the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and has published eight stories investigating the cult. Among the allegations reported are sexual, physical, and psychological abuses; immigration fraud; requests to kill for the cult, "poison tests" of faith; an assassination plot, and more.

The leader, Abdullah Hashem, claims to be the reincarnation of Christ, the new Pope, God, and the Islamic savior called the Mahdi. He also claims to be the only person on the planet capable of interpreting all religious texts, including the Bible and the Quran.

“We’re looking for people that are willing to sell their homes, come be a part of the community, and follow me,” Hashem states in a video. He requires his followers to pledge loyalty oaths in videos online. “Upon this I shall live. Upon this I shall die. And upon this I shall be resurrected again,” the oath concludes.

Hashem lives with over 200 followers inside the cult compound in Crewe. Members have sworn to kill and die for him.

In 2005, prior to leading England's doomsday cult, Hashem and the co-leader of the cult spent a few years making documentaries exposing cults and fraudulent gurus.

While in Sweden, SWAT raided the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. There were several more raids before the cult was forced to leave the country for orchestrating immigration fraud.

World-renowned cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich has said the group is a "doomsday cultic group with megalomaniacal aspirations."

See Further Reporting:

The Guardian: Crewe religious group raided by police investigating allegations of serious sexual offences

BBC: Six held after religious group modern slavery raid

The Times: Crewe religious group raided by police after allegations of abuse

ITV: Arrests made after raid on religious group accused over 'forced marriage and modern slavery'

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