Home Office Investigates Cheshire Sect’s Use of Immigrant Visas
The Home Office has launched an investigation into a company associated with a religious sect based in Cheshire, focusing on its use of immigrant visas.
Affiliations and Controversies of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
The company under scrutiny is linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), a sect that combines Islamic teachings with conspiracy theories regarding the Illuminati and extraterrestrial influence over global leadership. Followers of the sect believe their leader, Abdullah Hashem, possesses healing abilities and even has the power to extinguish the moon. Approximately 100 devotees reside in a converted former orphanage in Crewe, located in northwest England.
Migration to the UK Amid Previous Scrutiny
The community relocated to the UK in 2021 after moving its headquarters from Sweden, where immigration authorities had already investigated multiple businesses connected to the sect and issued deportation orders against dozens of its members.
Investigation of AROPL Studios
British immigration officials are currently examining firms associated with AROPL for allegedly misusing skilled worker visas to admit individuals into the country. This investigation, confirmed by the Home Office, primarily targets AROPL Studios, a company established in 2021 to create social media and YouTube content centered around the sect’s teachings.
Visa Data and the Home Office’s Clampdown
Data provided by the Home Office to the Guardian reveals that AROPL Studios issued 12 skilled worker visas between 2022 and 2025. Introduced in 2020, the Skilled Worker Visa is designed to enable companies to recruit foreign workers with specialized skills for specific positions. In September 2025, the Home Office announced a crackdown on sponsors suspected of exploiting the immigration system.
AROPL’s Defence Against Allegations
AROPL has firmly denied any wrongdoing regarding immigration practices, with its lawyers asserting that the status of all its members and employees is fully legal. They added that the group was unaware of any ongoing investigation.
Hashem’s Claims and Sect’s Global Reach
Hashem, known for his signature black beanie, has cultivated a following through polished online videos that have garnered over 31 million views on AROPL’s YouTube channel. These videos often showcase his teachings and narrate tales of the sect’s miraculous claims, such as curing illnesses and divine interventions. In a recent video, Hashem highlighted the sect’s multinational composition, stating they encompass believers from diverse countries and continents, coexisting harmoniously.
Previous Legal Challenges in Sweden
The Home Office’s investigation is not the first challenge faced by the group. Reports indicate that Swedish immigration courts previously identified several AROPL-affiliated companies as “fraudulent employers,” aimed at securing residency for sect members. As a result, 69 deportation orders were issued against AROPL followers. The group claimed that by the time these orders were handed down, they had already relocated to the UK.
Claims of Religious Persecution
Hashem publicly condemned the Swedish court’s ruling, labeling it a manifestation of racism and religious persecution. In defense of their practices, AROPL’s lawyers refuted claims suggesting that the visas were fraudulently obtained, stating they possess the necessary documentation to substantiate their case.
Identity and Beliefs of AROPL Members
The group describes itself as a peaceful and transparent movement rooted in Shiite Islam, which is recognized as a legitimate faith by various international organizations. Members have reported facing persecution in certain countries due to their interpretation of Islam, which permits alcohol consumption and allows women to wear the hijab.
