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{{Short description|British-Pakistani activist}}
#REDIRECT ]
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox person
|name=Younus AlGohar
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1968|06|16}}
|birth_place=], Pakistan
|alma_mater=], ]
|image=YounusAlGohar-Profile-Image.jpg
|caption=Younus AlGohar (September 2015)
|other_names =Sayyedi (Honourable), AlGohar, Mohammad Younus
|movement=
|organization= ], ], ]
|monuments=
|awards= 'Man of Valour', 'Universal Peace Ambassador'
|footnotes=
}}

'''Younus AlGohar''' ({{lang|ur|یونس الگوھر}}, born '''Mohammad Younus'''; 16 June 1969) is a British co-founder of ] (also known as ] and Mehdi Foundation International), a spiritual organisation which advocates for ] mystical teachings and claims he ].<ref>UN Human Rights Council, 28 February 2008, p. 27</ref> He authored the books ''Mysterious Horizons – Beyond God'' (2007), and ''Nisāb-e-Mehdi'' {{lang|ur|نصا ب مہدی}}&lrm; (2010).

==Biography==
]
In 1983, at the age of 15 he met ] and spent 18 years as a close disciple, until Shahi's disappearance in 2001.<ref name="officialsite">{{cite web|url=http://www.younusalgohar.com/|title=The Official Representative of Lord Ra Riaz Gohar Shahi |publisher=YounusAlGohar.com |access-date=4 July 2013}}</ref>

==Messiah Foundation International==
''RAGS International'' was founded by ] in 1980, and renamed in 2000 as ]. The first centre for MFI was established in London, which is the headquarters of MFI.<ref name="Island2"/><ref name="interviewwithleader">{{Citation | title = Spiritual Leader Speaks of a Love Unsurpassed | newspaper = The Sunday Leader| location = Sri Lanka | date = 29 May 2011 | url = http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/05/29/spiritual-leader-speaks-of-a-love-unsurpassed/ | access-date =20 December 2011}}</ref> MFI has grown to include centres in Canada, USA, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, India, Greece, Thailand, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Pakistan and Nepal.<ref name="SL2012"/><ref>{{Cite press release | title = MFI Nepal Opens its Doors | publisher =MFI Media | date = 26 February 2012 | url =http://www.goharshahi.us/index.php?/news/view/mfi-nepal-opens-its-doors/ | access-date = 1 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Founding of MFI | url = http://www.goharshahi.us/mehdi-foundation-international/ | access-date =4 July 2013}}</ref>

==Beliefs and views==
]
AlGohar considers himself a "devout servant" of Shahi who practices "The Religion of God", which AlGohar says Shahi has introduced to humanity. According to AlGohar, he believes in all the ]s, the ] and the ] regardless of their religion. He asserts that he does not reject or hate any religion but believes that the spiritual system in all religions, which helped humanity find God, has diminished due to modifications in the religions.<ref name="croydon"/><ref name="dantv"/><ref name="structureofmfiunhcr">
{{Citation | title= Structure and objective of the Mehdi Foundation and the perception of this movement in Pakistan | date = 5 December 2008 | url= http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/49997ae7d.pdf | access-date =11 October 2009}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web | title = Do you await a Messianic personality? | url = http://rariazgoharshahi.blogspot.com/2008/11/do-you-await-messianic-personality.html
|date= 17 November 2008 | access-date =11 October 2009}}
</ref> According to him, his goals include preaching spirituality irrespective of religious or cultural boundaries, revolutionising humanity by reviving spiritual insight,<ref name="SL2012"/><ref name="AsiaToday"/> establishing inner and outer peace, eliminating hatred from society, enlightening hearts with divine energy,<ref name="AsiaToday"/> and heralding the second coming of ] and Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi.<ref name="interviewwithleader"/>
He has openly challenged ] to have "a healthy debate on this topic should it arise a theological reservation among the minds of petty scholars." In particular, AlGohar has challenged ] to debates on spirituality, ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web | title = His Holiness Younus AlGohar's Challenge to Tahir ul Qadri | url = http://www.goharshahi.us/index.php?/media/watch/younus-algohars-challenge-to-tahir-ul-qadri/ |date= 18 April 2010 | access-date =4 July 2013}}</ref> AlGohar also declares that the world is in the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = 2026 and Humanity | url = http://www.goharshahi.us/index.php?/news/view/2026-humanity/ |date= 20 February 2011 | access-date =6 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="independent">{{Citation|title=End of the world: The apocalypses that await us if we make it through today|date=7 October 2015|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/end-of-the-world-the-apocalypses-that-await-us-if-we-make-it-through-today-a6685046.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/end-of-the-world-the-apocalypses-that-await-us-if-we-make-it-through-today-a6685046.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=7 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{Citation|title=Apocalypse now and again … your choice of dates for the end of the world |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 September 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/28/apocalypse-now-and-again-your-choice-of-dates-for-the-end-of-the-world|access-date=1 October 2015|last1=Gabbatt |first1=Adam }}</ref><ref name="jobshire">{{Citation|title=End Of The World 2015: NASA Slams Conspiracy Theorists' Apocalypse Threats, Says No Scientific Basis For Imminent Mass Destruction|date=1 October 2015|url=http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/28714/20151001/end-world-2015-nasa-slams-conspiracy-theorists-apocalypse-threats-scientific-basis-imminent-mass-destruction.htm|access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref>

===Stand against Terrorism===
AlGohar opposes ] which he considers a threat to Islam and the entire world.<ref name="SolutionTerrorism">{{Citation|title= Younus AlGohar's Solution to Terrorism|url=http://www.younusalgohar.org/stand-against-wahhabism/younus-algohars-solution-to-terrorism/|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref> He has spoken out against ].<ref name="ChallengeISIS">{{Citation|title=HH Younus AlGohar's Challenge to ISIS |url=http://www.younusalgohar.org/stand-against-wahhabism/hh-younus-algohars-challenge-to-isis/|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref> He believes that Wahhabism is the ideology of ], stating that ] teaching the Wahhabi ideology are engaging in ] and are producing terrorists. He has urged world leaders to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia for their role in promoting terrorism.<ref name="SolutionTerrorism"/> He has called for Wahhabism to be banned in the United Kingdom, United States of America and ].<ref>{{Citation|title= Sign Petition for Ban on Wahhabism |date=4 March 2016|url=http://en.shafaqna.com/news/29721|access-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> He engages in efforts to de-radicalise Muslim youth by promoting ] and has started an initiative called ''Young Sufis of the Great Britain'' with the Messiah Foundation International for this purpose.<ref name="YSGB">{{Citation|title= Young Sufis of the Great Britain – Monthly meetup August|date=23 August 2014|url=http://www.goharshahi.us/local.php?/news/view/young-sufis-of-the-great-britain-monthly-meetup-august//|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

===Malaysian Court Ruling===
AlGohar criticised the October 2013 ] banning non-Muslims from using the word, 'Allah'. He accused the judges who made the decision of being 'highly ignorant, shortsighted and prejudiced.'<ref name="FMT1"/> He argued that to confine Allah to Islam was to suggest that the God of ] was different from the God of all others and that it was ].<ref name="FMT1"/><ref name="FMT2"/>

==Prosecution and Persecution==

Many attempts were made on the lives of Gohar Shahi and Younus AlGohar including a ] thrown into AlGohar's residence in ], where Shahi stayed when he toured{{when|date=January 2020}} the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Religion of God|last=Gohar Shahi|first=Riaz Ahmed|year=2000|publisher=Balboa Press|location=United States|isbn=978-1-45254-908-8|pages=xi |access-date=13 July 2013|url=http://bookstore.balboapress.com/Products/SKU-000528516/the-religion-of-god-divine-love.aspx}}</ref><ref name="Attempts">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/2717/page3.html|title=Who is Holiness|publisher=via Yahoo Geocities|access-date=9 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011123051444/http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/2717/page3.html|archive-date=23 November 2001}}</ref>

In August 2014, AlGohar was a vocal supporter of ] rally against ] in Pakistan's 2013 elections. AlGohar's support of Imran Khan and ] was a matter of controversy in the Pakistani media, drawing comments from ] and ], who alleged on ''Bolta Pakistan'' that AlGohar was funding Imran Khan's campaign and conspiring against Pakistan.<ref name="boltapk">{{cite episode|title=Jirga's Apeal....| series = Bolta Pakistan| url = http://www.zemtv.com/2014/09/18/bolta-pakistan-jirgas-apeal-18th-september-2014/| network = Aaj TV| location = Lahore, Pakistan| airdate = 2014-09-18 | minutes = 39:57}}</ref> Immediately after the episode was aired, Mehdi Foundation International posted AlGohar's video response on their YouTube channel, in which AlGohar stated that he had no affiliation with Imran Khan, but was rather hoping for justice.<ref>{{cite web| title = Younus AlGohar's Challenge to Aaj TV | website=] | date=18 September 2014 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6hJqYVWknk| access-date = 30 March 2015}}</ref> Shireen Mazari soon issued a statement distancing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from AlGohar.<ref>{{cite web| title = PTI totally distances itself from statements by Younis Al-Gohar: Dr Shireen Mazari (sic)| url = http://insaf.pk/news/national-news/item/1788747-pti-totally-distances-itself-from-statements-by-younis-al-gohar-dr-shireen-mazari| access-date = 30 March 2015}}</ref> AlGohar later withdrew his support of Imran Khan.<ref>{{cite web| title = MFI to Host Press Conference for Pakistani Media in Toronto| url = http://www.goharshahi.us/index.php?/news/view/mfi-press-pakistani-media-toronto/| access-date = 30 March 2015}}</ref>

In 2013, AlGohar was convicted of ]. He pleaded guilty to 11 out of 12 charges of dishonesty under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. AlGohar was ordered to pay a £6000 fine and perform 240 hours of community service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/topstories/10784223.Self_proclaimed_mystic_convicted_of___77_000_benefit_fraud/|title=Self-proclaimed mystic convicted of £77,000 benefit fraud|website=Your Local Guardian|date=5 November 2013 |language=en|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Shah Baba|title=Younas Algohar exposed by BBC London|date=2015-03-12|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKusot1S2dk|access-date=2017-05-03}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>

===Media coverage===
AlGohar was featured in an article by the ] newspaper<ref name="Lakbima Interview">{{cite web
| title = His Holiness Younus AlGohar speaks to the Lakbima Newspaper
| url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/his-holiness-younus-algohar-speaks-to-the-lakbima-newspaper
| access-date = 6 July 2013}}</ref> and was interviewed by the Sri Lankan newspaper, ].<ref name="Island2">{{Citation| last = Morell | first = Steve A.| title = The Kalkia Avatar Foundation exemplifies Divine Love | newspaper = The Island | date =7 September 2008 | url = http://www.island.lk/2008/09/07/news9.html | access-date =11 October 2009 }}</ref> He was featured by ] in 2009.<ref name="croydon">{{Cite news | last = Whalley | first = Kirsty | title = Croydon religious leader faces life in Pakistani jail for his beliefs | newspaper = Your Local Guardian | location = London | date = 30 September 2009 | url =http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/4645892.Croydon_religious_leader_faces_life_in_Pakistani_jail_for_his_beliefs | access-date =11 October 2009}}</ref> He was also interviewed by various Sri Lankan media in 2011, 2012 and 2015, including '']''<ref name="interviewwithleader"/><ref name="SL2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/01/01/spreading-divine-love-messiah-foundation-international/|title=Spreading Divine Love Messiah Foundation International|publisher=Sunday Leader|date=1 January 2012|access-date=1 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="SL2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2015/09/13/spiritual-leader-from-uk-visits-sri-lanka-2/|title=Spiritual Leader From UK Visits Sri Lanka|publisher=Sunday Leader|date=13 September 2015|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref> and the ''Island''.<ref name="Island3">{{Citation| last = Perera
| first = Suresh | title = The practice of rituals alone does not initiate the heart with divine love | newspaper = The Island | date = 24 December 2011 | url =http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=41850| access-date =25 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="Island4">{{Citation | title = The message of Divine Love has been very successful in Sri Lanka – MFI CEO | newspaper = The Island | date = 28 May 2011 | url = http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=26464 | access-date =10 April 2014
}}</ref> He was covered by ] newspapers and television stations.<ref name="dantv">{{cite episode |title=Episode|series = Indraya Piramugar| url = http://www.dantv.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1111:piramugar-20120114&catid=106:indraya-piramugar&Itemid=544| network = DAN TV | location = ], Sri Lanka| airdate = 2012-01-14| minutes = 96:49}}{{Dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref><ref name="Thinakaran">{{Citation
| newspaper = Thinakaran |title= Thinakaran Newspaper's Article about the Ra Ram Conference| date = 9 January 2012| url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/thinkaran-newspapers-article-about-the-ra-ram-conference| access-date =17 January 2012
}}</ref><ref name="Virakesari">{{Citation | newspaper = Virakesari |title= Virakesari Newspaper's Special Coverage of Ra Ram Conference | date = 8 January 2012 | url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/virakesari-newspapers-special-coverage-of-ra-ram-conference| access-date =17 January 2012
}}</ref><ref name="Sudar Oli">{{Citation | newspaper = Sudar Oli|title= Sudar Oli Newspaper Covers the Ra Ram Conference | date = 6 January 2012 | url = http://www.goharshahi.us/index.php?/news/view/sudar-oli-newspaper-covers-conference1/ | access-date =17 January 2012}}</ref>
In addition, he was invited by the ] to speak on 'The Call of Time' in Sri Lanka<ref name="BK">{{cite web| title = Upcoming Events
| url = http://www.bkwsu.org/srilanka/UpComingEvents| access-date = 15 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="BKMFI">{{cite web| title = HH Younus AlGohar's lecture on Call of Time at Brahma Kumari Centre, Sri Lanka a great success| url = http://www.goharshahi.us/news/view/hh-younus-algohar-lecture-on-call-of-time-at-brahma-kumari-centre-sri-/| access-date = 15 December 2012}}</ref> and by Good Morning Sri Lanka to discuss spirituality.<ref name="GMSL">{{cite web| title = His Holiness Younus AlGohar interviewed by MTV Sports, Sri Lanka | website=] | date=13 December 2012 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhv_34QAoik| access-date = 15 December 2012}}</ref>
AlGohar was also invited by ] in Sri Lanka to explain the message of Kalki Avatar Foundation.<ref name="TNL">{{cite episode|title=The TNL Channel Interviews His Holiness Younus AlGohar| series = Jeewithay Sundarai| url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/the-tnl-channel-interviews-his-holiness-younus-algohar| network = TNL TV | location = ], Sri Lanka| airdate = 2013-03-28 | minutes = 00:00}}</ref> During his tour of Sri Lanka in December 2013, he was interviewed on TNL TV again<ref>{{cite episode |title=TNL TV Interviews His Holiness Younus AlGohar| series = Jeewithay Sundarai | url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/tnl-tv-interviews-his-holiness-younus-algohar| network = TNL TV| location = ], Sri Lanka | airdate = 2013-12-17| minutes = 00:00}}</ref> and spoke on ] ''Face On''.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Face on Interview with His Holiness Younus AlGohar| series = Face On| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ERGvF3Zkc8| network = ITN Prime TV | location = ], Sri Lanka| airdate = 2014-01-20 | minutes = 00:00}}</ref> His visit was also covered by national Tamil-language newspapers.<ref>
{{Citation | newspaper = Tamil Daily Mirror | title = Worship Programme Arranged by Kalki Avatar Foundation | date = 23 December 2013 | url = http://tamil.dailymirror.lk/2010-07-14-09-13-23/2010-08-12-10-11-54/2010-09-21-10-46-55/94204-2013-12-23-09-42-34.html | access-date = 30 January 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140127063121/http://tamil.dailymirror.lk/2010-07-14-09-13-23/2010-08-12-10-11-54/2010-09-21-10-46-55/94204-2013-12-23-09-42-34.html | archive-date = 27 January 2014 | url-status = dead }}
</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Thinakkural Newspaper Covers His Holiness Younus AlGohar's visit to Vishnu Temple!| website = Kalki Avatar Foundation | date = 18 December 2013 | url = http://www.kalkiavatarfoundation.com/activities/activity/thinakkural-newspaper-reports-on-his-holiness-younus-algohars-visit-to-vish | access-date = 30 January 2014 }}</ref> AlGohar's comments on the ]n court ruling regarding the prohibition of the word ']' for non-Muslims were published in ] in January and February 2014.<ref name="FMT1">{{Citation | newspaper = Free Malaysia Today
|title= Pakistani cleric slams "ignorant" Allah ruling | date = 22 January 2014 | url = http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/01/22/pakistani-cleric-slams-%E2%80%9Cignorant%E2%80%9D-allah-ruling/ | access-date = 31 January 2014 }}</ref><ref name="FMT2">{{Citation | newspaper = Free Malaysia Today|title= Allah row: Pakistani cleric blames Umno | date = 3 February 2014 | url = http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/02/03/allah-row-pakistani-cleric-blames-umno/ | access-date = 4 February 2014 }}</ref> In ], he was interviewed by ''Asia Today'' about his beliefs, Shahi and Messiah Foundation International.<ref name="AsiaToday">{{Citation | newspaper = Asia Today | title = Chai with...His Holiness Younus AlGohar of Messiah Foundation International | date = September 2014 | url = https://asiatodayaz.com/newspapers/2014/October_2014.pdf | access-date = 7 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010125013/https://asiatodayaz.com/newspapers/2014/October_2014.pdf | archive-date = 10 October 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref> His next interviews with the Island were published in September 2015 and May 2016.<ref name="island2015">{{Citation | newspaper = The Island
|title= 'A person becomes a better human being when not overpowered by hatred' — Younus AlGohar | date = 5 September 2015 | url = http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=131232 | access-date = 7 September 2015 }}</ref><ref name="island2016">{{Citation | newspaper = The Island| title= 'My message is love, peace, tolerance and universal brotherhood'— Younus Al Gohar | date = 22 May 2016 | url = http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=145625 | access-date = 31 May 2016 }}</ref> His article entitled 'Dysfunctionality of Religions' was published by Asia Today in September 2016.<ref name="AsiaToday2">{{Citation | newspaper = Asia Today
|title= Dysfunctionality of Religions | date = 1 September 2016 | url = https://asiatodayaz.com/newspapers/2016/September_2016.pdf | access-date = 21 September 2016 }}</ref> His commentary on ] links to ] were noted in an article published in ''News Rescue''.<ref name="NewsRescue">{{Citation | newspaper = News Rescue|title= "We Are Not Wahhabi, We Do Not Sponsor Terror," Saudi Arabia Writes Article To Defend Itself From Terror Sponsor Label | date = 11 March 2016 | url = http://newsrescue.com/we-are-not-wahhabi-we-do-not-sponsor-terror-saudi-arabia-writes-article-to-defend-itself-from-terror-sponsor-label/#axzz4KNW2OL6j | access-date = 21 September 2016 }}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name of Book !! In Urdu !! Translation !! Year of Publication !! Content
|-
| ''Rukhsār-e-Riaz'' || |رخسار ریاض|| The Face of Riaz || 2002 || Poetry
|-
| ''Malfoozāt-e-Mehdi'' ||ملفوظات مہدی|| Sayings Pertaining to the Mehdi || 2002 || Educational Book
|-
| ''Dastoor-e-Riaz'' ||دستور ریاض|| The Riazian Constitution || 2002 || Educational Book
|-
| ''Mysterious Horizons'' – Beyond God || – || – || 2007 || Educational Book
|-
| ''Nisāb-e-Mehdi'' ||نصاب مہدی|| The Chapter of the Mehdi || 2010 || Educational Book
|-
| ''Imam um Mubeen'' ||امام مّبین|| The Elusid Imam || 2012 || Educational Book
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Younus AlGohar}}
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Latest revision as of 10:21, 30 August 2024

British-Pakistani activist

Younus AlGohar
Younus AlGohar (September 2015)
Born (1968-06-16) 16 June 1968 (age 56)
Karachi, Pakistan
Other namesSayyedi (Honourable), AlGohar, Mohammad Younus
Alma materManchester University, Cambridge University
Organization(s)Messiah Foundation International, Mehdi Foundation International, Kalki Avatar Foundation
Awards'Man of Valour', 'Universal Peace Ambassador'

Younus AlGohar (یونس الگوھر, born Mohammad Younus; 16 June 1969) is a British co-founder of Messiah Foundation International (also known as Kalki Avatar Foundation and Mehdi Foundation International), a spiritual organisation which advocates for Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi mystical teachings and claims he is the Messiah (Mahdi). He authored the books Mysterious Horizons – Beyond God (2007), and Nisāb-e-Mehdi نصا ب مہدی‎ (2010).

Biography

Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi and Younus AlGohar during a program in the UK

In 1983, at the age of 15 he met Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi and spent 18 years as a close disciple, until Shahi's disappearance in 2001.

Messiah Foundation International

RAGS International was founded by Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi in 1980, and renamed in 2000 as Messiah Foundation International. The first centre for MFI was established in London, which is the headquarters of MFI. MFI has grown to include centres in Canada, USA, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, India, Greece, Thailand, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Pakistan and Nepal.

Beliefs and views

Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi and Younus AlGohar at an event held in USA, 1999

AlGohar considers himself a "devout servant" of Shahi who practices "The Religion of God", which AlGohar says Shahi has introduced to humanity. According to AlGohar, he believes in all the Prophets, the Messengers and the saints regardless of their religion. He asserts that he does not reject or hate any religion but believes that the spiritual system in all religions, which helped humanity find God, has diminished due to modifications in the religions. According to him, his goals include preaching spirituality irrespective of religious or cultural boundaries, revolutionising humanity by reviving spiritual insight, establishing inner and outer peace, eliminating hatred from society, enlightening hearts with divine energy, and heralding the second coming of Jesus Christ and Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi. He has openly challenged Islamic Scholars to have "a healthy debate on this topic should it arise a theological reservation among the minds of petty scholars." In particular, AlGohar has challenged Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to debates on spirituality, saints, Imam Mehdi and Islam. AlGohar also declares that the world is in the end times.

Stand against Terrorism

AlGohar opposes Wahhabism which he considers a threat to Islam and the entire world. He has spoken out against ISIS. He believes that Wahhabism is the ideology of Islamic militants, stating that madrassas teaching the Wahhabi ideology are engaging in hate preaching and are producing terrorists. He has urged world leaders to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia for their role in promoting terrorism. He has called for Wahhabism to be banned in the United Kingdom, United States of America and India. He engages in efforts to de-radicalise Muslim youth by promoting Sufism and has started an initiative called Young Sufis of the Great Britain with the Messiah Foundation International for this purpose.

Malaysian Court Ruling

AlGohar criticised the October 2013 Malaysian court ruling banning non-Muslims from using the word, 'Allah'. He accused the judges who made the decision of being 'highly ignorant, shortsighted and prejudiced.' He argued that to confine Allah to Islam was to suggest that the God of Muslims was different from the God of all others and that it was shirk.

Prosecution and Persecution

Many attempts were made on the lives of Gohar Shahi and Younus AlGohar including a petrol bomb thrown into AlGohar's residence in Manchester, where Shahi stayed when he toured the United Kingdom.

In August 2014, AlGohar was a vocal supporter of Imran Khan's rally against electoral fraud in Pakistan's 2013 elections. AlGohar's support of Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was a matter of controversy in the Pakistani media, drawing comments from Nusrat Javed and Mushtaq Minhas, who alleged on Bolta Pakistan that AlGohar was funding Imran Khan's campaign and conspiring against Pakistan. Immediately after the episode was aired, Mehdi Foundation International posted AlGohar's video response on their YouTube channel, in which AlGohar stated that he had no affiliation with Imran Khan, but was rather hoping for justice. Shireen Mazari soon issued a statement distancing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from AlGohar. AlGohar later withdrew his support of Imran Khan.

In 2013, AlGohar was convicted of benefit fraud. He pleaded guilty to 11 out of 12 charges of dishonesty under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. AlGohar was ordered to pay a £6000 fine and perform 240 hours of community service.

Media coverage

AlGohar was featured in an article by the Lakbima newspaper and was interviewed by the Sri Lankan newspaper, The Island. He was featured by Your Local Guardian in 2009. He was also interviewed by various Sri Lankan media in 2011, 2012 and 2015, including The Sunday Leader and the Island. He was covered by Tamil language newspapers and television stations. In addition, he was invited by the Brahma Kumaris to speak on 'The Call of Time' in Sri Lanka and by Good Morning Sri Lanka to discuss spirituality. AlGohar was also invited by TNL TV in Sri Lanka to explain the message of Kalki Avatar Foundation. During his tour of Sri Lanka in December 2013, he was interviewed on TNL TV again and spoke on ITN Prime TV's Face On. His visit was also covered by national Tamil-language newspapers. AlGohar's comments on the Malaysian court ruling regarding the prohibition of the word 'Allah' for non-Muslims were published in Free Malaysia Today in January and February 2014. In Phoenix, Arizona, he was interviewed by Asia Today about his beliefs, Shahi and Messiah Foundation International. His next interviews with the Island were published in September 2015 and May 2016. His article entitled 'Dysfunctionality of Religions' was published by Asia Today in September 2016. His commentary on Saudi Arabia's links to Wahhabism were noted in an article published in News Rescue.

Bibliography

Name of Book In Urdu Translation Year of Publication Content
Rukhsār-e-Riaz رخسار ریاض The Face of Riaz 2002 Poetry
Malfoozāt-e-Mehdi ملفوظات مہدی Sayings Pertaining to the Mehdi 2002 Educational Book
Dastoor-e-Riaz دستور ریاض The Riazian Constitution 2002 Educational Book
Mysterious Horizons – Beyond God – – 2007 Educational Book
Nisāb-e-Mehdi نصاب مہدی The Chapter of the Mehdi 2010 Educational Book
Imam um Mubeen امام مّبین The Elusid Imam 2012 Educational Book

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