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| Formation | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Official language | All |
| Spiritual Master & Founder | Riaz Ahmed (R.A.) Gohar Shahi |
| Key people | Younus AlGohar (Co-Founder) |
| Website | Gohar Shahi.com |
Messiah/Mehdi Foundation International (MFI) is an organization established by Younus AlGohar under the guidance of R.A. Gohar Shahi, in between 2001 and 2002, to promote the Goharian Philosophy of Divine Love. The organization claims to be a syncretic fulfillment of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu prophecy, with Shahi depicted as the messianic figure of many religions, given the title of Mehdi, Messiah, and Kalki Avatar as well as the generic "Awaited One" prophesied by all other religions. Adherents promote the reduction of hatred and promotion of divine love and world peace, and witnessing miraculous images of spiritual figures on the face such objects as the moon, sun, and the Black Stone in Mecca.
History
MFI was previously known as "RAGS International", until early 2002. Shahi's representative, Younus AlGohar merged RAGS International with the MFI in 2002 shortly after the believed 'disappearance' of Shahi, which his followers consider to be miraculous occultation, though there have been rumours which disturbed and offended many of the followers of Shahi. The rumours are that Shahi was killed or died; due to which a death-certificate was published with no evidence of death. By then, R.A. Gohar Shahi had a large following, many of whom came from Pakistan. Some of Gohar Shahi’s followers had been under the discipleship of Gohar Shahi for twenty years or more. Among these was Younus AlGohar, who would soon form the organization to preach Gohar Shahi’s teachings of Divine Love, Global peace, and to tell the world about the Divine Signs on the Moon, Sun, and the Holy Black Stone in Mecca. They also herald the Second Coming of Lord Jesus Christ. The Messiah/Mehdi Foundation International has now grown to include a following from various religious backgrounds who, according to them, number in the thousands.
According to a piece of paper, found in a followers house (where Shahi often resided whilst his many tours of Virginia, USA), in 2004 denoted MFI. The handwriting is said to be that of Shahi. Followers believe this may have been a prediction or a prophecy that Shahi depicted.
Objectives
Wiping out hatred from society and from the lives of all humanity is a goal for Messiah/Mehdi Foundation International. MFI strives to raise the awareness of what they claim to be "the long forgotten spiritual science" among all religions. Messiah Foundation International claims to provide humanity with means of inner purification and spiritual enlightenment. According to their website,
MFI aims to unify all hearts and all souls of all the humanity. MFI aims to bring about Spiritual Revolution on an international level. MFI aims to beautify the hearts of aspirants who seek intermediary to reach God. MFI aims to curb hatred from the hearts of humanity. Negative attributes in human beings take its roots from presence of devil in all human beings. MFI aims to help humanity eliminate devilish instinct in all human beings. In short, MFI aims to bring about divine love, and root out hatred from the hearts and lives of all human beings.
In addition, Younus AlGohar also mentions that it is the responsibility of the organization to propagate various images of Jesus Christ,Our Lady Mother Virgin Mary, Durgha Maa (the sacred Hindu goddess) and R.A. Gohar Shahi which he claims have appeared on sacred, earthly and celestial locations as signs from God. In regards to the signs, he states, 'this is the divine plan that of unifying all religions and merging them all into one great religion; the religion of God, "Divine Love"'.
Shahi's claimed meeting with Jesus
The movement claims that Shahi met with Jesus Christ on the 29th of May, 1997 in Taos, New Mexico. Shahi claimed that Jesus could speak many languages and did not live in a particular home. When asked about what was discussed between himself and Jesus, Shahi stated that it was secretive and would be revealed at an appropriate time. After this incident, an image of Jesus Christ which, as the owner claimed, had appeared miraculously from photographs of sacred places was shown to Shahi in Tucson. It was then announced by Gohar Shahi as the "Original image of Jesus Christ".
Teachings and Beliefs
The insitute considers itself to be peace promoting, and condemns the spread of hatred especially through religion, i.e. terrorism.
R.A. Gohar Shahi and the Divine Signs
The beliefs of MFI are based on the teachings of R.A. Gohar Shahi, whom they consider the awaited Messianic figure predicted to come towards the end of the world. They believe that it is their duty to tell humanity about R.A. Gohar Shahi’s teachings and about the “the divine signs” which are images of R.A. Gohar Shahi, Jesus Christ and other spiritual figures whose appearance on the Moon, Sun, the Holy Black Stone in Mecca, Mars, and other celestial bodies are propagated by the MFI. They believe these images were put on these locations by God. A "divine sign" that is emphasized upon the most is the image of Gohar Shahi on the moon, which the group of spiritualists claims has spoken to people in different languages and which has rendered spiritual benevolence to those searching for divine love. They declare that the titles of the Messiah,Kalki Avatar and Imam Mehdi do not refer to three personalities, but are rather different titles for one personality, whom they depict as Gohar Shahi.
The Spiritual Heart (Qalb)
The focus of the institute is on spiritual cleansing to love God, which they say is practical. They claim to not be influenced by any particular religion or faith and do not discriminate against anyone based on nation, “religion, cast, creed”, etc . According to them, the way to God is through the heart, not through worship, therefore their teachings lay emphasis on the cleansing of the heart to reach God. According to their methodologies, God’s love is implanted in the heart when one’s heart is initiated with God’s name. In this methodology, the name of God supposedly becomes synchronized within the heartbeats to produce “divine energy” which would then clean the heart and implant love of God so as to connect the aspirant with God. This is called “Zikr-e-Qalb” in Islamic Terminology and “Simran” in Hinduism.
Spirituality
According to MFI, worship is fruitless if one does not have a pure heart. The organization believes that the religions all have two parts, outer and inner. The teachings state that the outer part of the religion is the rituals and bodily worship while the inner religion is purification of the heart and souls to gain connection with God. In their beliefs, the inner religion is the core while the outer religion is like a “potato skin” Part of their claims is that the inner religion, that is to say, the spiritual system within the religions today has diminished. They claim to not convert anyone to any religion, but rather convert the hearts towards divine love, which they say is the essence of all religions. Because MFI does not lay emphasis on rituals and worship, people from different religions follow their teachings while practicing their own faith, which is why the organization calls itself an “interfaith non-religious spiritual intuitional organization”.
Jesus Christ
They believe that Jesus Christ has already returned to the world, and they believe that Jesus is working with R.A. Gohar Shahi to spread love. They also believe that images of Jesus Christ have appeared in the Holy Black Stone, and the Moon. MFI believes that Jesus Christ had a meeting with Gohar Shahi in 1997. In addition, MFI propagates Jesus Christ as a ‘universal figure of divinity’ who is for humanity rather than being confined to the religion of Christianity. They consider the interests of R.A. Gohar Shahi to be closely related to those of Jesus; i.e. global peace and divine love.
Claimed miracles
- The M/MFI believes in spiritual healing, offering that service to the wider community.
- The M/MFI claims divine intervention caused a sandstorm during an attack on an MFI procession in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Members were allegedly attacked by local Muslims angered by the claims that Shahi represented the Mehdi.
The Religion of God
Before his disappearance, Gohar Shahi penned a book, Deen-e-Ilahi (literally "the Religion/Lifestyle of God"). Deen-e-Ilahi explains secrets of spirituality as per the understanding of Gohar Shahi. On the front cover, Gohar Shahi states "The book (in hand) requires unruffled concentration and attention, pondering and research from all religious sects and every man. It poses a challenge for those who reject the existence of Spirituality." Originally Deen-e-Ilahi was written in Urdu, the native tongue of Shahi, however through the efforts of Messiah Foundation International, the book is now available in English, Dutch, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Sindhi, Spanish, Thai, and Tamil as well. Because the movement is non-profit and believes that the grace of Gohar Shahi should not be held back from anyone, they distribute the book for free. According to them, anyone wishing to embark on the spiritual path should study Deen-e-Ilahi. The book can be found in an online version as well. Due to the strict extremist nature of the Islamic government of Pakistan, Deen-e-Ilahi is now banned there.
Controversy
Members of MFI have been subject to fierce religious opposition due to their emphasis on "the spirit of the law" rather than the "letter of the law", the latter being given much importance by radical religious scholars, particularly in Pakistan. Their universal method of spirituality has been fiercely opposed by radical scholars, as the beliefs of MFI do not give importance to any one religion, but rather says that all religions alluding to God are worthy of respect. The co-founder of Messiah Foundation International, Younus AlGohar has also been persecuted by the government of Pakistan and they have issued death sentences against him for blaspheming, though it is not specified exactly how he blasphemed.
On their website, Messiah Foundation International claims that the Pakistani government has persecuted and jailed some 50 MFI members under charges of blasphemy against Islam,though they claim to have done nothing but preach Divine Love as per Gohar Shahi’s teachings. First Information Reports have been registered against officials of MFI in Pakistan. In India, an FIR was reported on members who were protesting in Jantar Mantar against the Pakistani government by burning effigies of the likes of Osama Bin Laden and Fazlur Rehman as well as burning their travel documents, which meant that they were in India illegally. Besides this, the government of Pakistan also passed allegations on R.A. Gohar Shahi which were later proven false, and banned his book, "the Religion of God", for its emphasis on spirituality rather than the religion of Islam.
MFI has been subject to negative propaganda primarily in the South Asian region of the world. One incident, where a man and a group of armed followers hijacked a bus in Faisalabad, claimed that their leader was the Imam Mehdi, and went on to have a shoot out with the police, has been seemingly falsely attributed to Messiah Foundation International. The man, Shahbaz Khan in an interview with a Pakistani newspaper, claimed to be supported by the alleged “billionaire” Younus AlGohar, whom he claimed had also taught his hypnotism. However, a press release by MFI stated that “The false claimant Shahbaz has no association with MFI. Shahbaz is a severely misguided and a blasphemous to His Holiness Gohar Shahi. Shahbaz, the impostor has demanded the government, to deal with Goharians harshly which suggests that he does not belong to MFI.” . It is also stated in the same press release that MFI believes Gohar Shahi to be the only awaited Imam Mehdi and does not support Shahbaz Khan. In a letter to the former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, Younus AlGohar demands justice be served to the 50 or so MFI members who had been persecuted because Khan claimed to be associated with MFI. . In addition the Sunday Telegraph stated that “There is no suggestion that leaders of the Gohar Shahi religion either organized Ahmed's actions in Pakistan or knew what he and his disciples were planning”.
Persecution
Extract written by Lord Avebury, in his report for MFI.
On 11 August 2008 a blasphemy case 295A, PPC was registered against eight MFI members by the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat (FIR No. 281/2008, Date of Occurrence 8 August 2008), at Police Station Kotri, District Jamshoro, Sindh Province, Pakistan. (See copy of English translation of FIR, attached)
On 5 August 2008 two MFI members (Mustaqeem and Umer) were severely beaten by extremists, but an FIR was registered against MFI members (FIR No. C/31/08, Date of Report 6 August 2008, Police Station Sharif Abad, District Karachi, Sindh Province, Pakistan) (See copy of English translation of FIR, attached)
On 18 October 2008 at 03.30 Mr Mohammad Iqbal (whose family was active in MFI) was murdered (FIR No. 995/2008, Offence u/s 302, 148, 149 PPC, Date of Report 16 October 2008 at 0500 AM, Police Station Factory Area, District Shaikhupura, Punjab Province, Pakistan) (See copy of English translation of FIR, attached).Hatred has been incited against the MFI members in Pakistan, who are accused of blasphemy, and these incidents are examples of the result. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, wrote on 4 September 2008, to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government, setting out the case well. It was reported on 4 August 2009 in the daily Safeer, that Mr Paras Masih, organiser for the Christian community of the MFI, had been murdered in Karachi.
63 members of MFI in Pakistan obtained tourist visas to India, where they staged a protest which had serious consequences. On April 23, 2007, MFI members protested in front of the Pakistani Embassy in Yantra Mantra, New Dehli, India, against the government of Pakistan. They asked India for asylum, refusing to return to their homeland. During their protests, they burnt their passports and travel documents that tied them to Pakistan as well as Pakistani flags and effigies of Pervez Musharraf and Maulana Fazlur Rehman . They were subsequently arrested for having no travel documentation and therefore being in India illegally. It is reported that they feared for their lives in Pakistan, where, if they went back, they would be charged with the Blasphemy Law, the penalty for which is death.
Among the 63 members were 19 women, 5 of whom are pregnant in “advanced stages” and 7 children. Younus AlGohar, the Co-Founder of MFI, states that “They were abused and sexually harassed in Tihar Jail. Now, the Indian Government is considering repatriating them back to Pakistan. The Indian Government seems to bear no sympathy for these 63 MFI members who escaped from severe persecution and potential death sentence.” Later, the United Nations Human Rights Council in New Delhi recommended to the government of India that the Pakistan nationals should not be deported back “till a proper decision on their request for asylum is taken by the government.”
On the 22nd of May, 2007 in front of Indian Embassy in London, UK, MFI members staged a demonstration to bring attention to the situations of their members who were then in jail and the dangers they faced if the Indian government decided to deport them to Pakistan.
However, the Telegraph in Calcutta, as well as other Indian newspapers, reported on November 26, 2009 that the plea to involve the National Human Rights Commission had been rejected by the government of India and that the Pakistani nationals were being put in the process of deportation despite the fact that, upon deportation, they would be charged for under the blasphemy laws in Pakistan.
In another case, members of MFI in Pakistan were arrested and charged for claiming R.A. Gohar Shahi to be the Imam Mehdi. According to Dawn.com,
2005 – December 23: Five members of the Mehdi Foundation International were arrested in Wapda Town, Lahore, for putting up posters of their leader Riaz Gohar Shahi showing him as ‘Imam Mehdi’. The Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced each to five years of imprisonment under 295-A of PPC. Their prisoners’ records posted outside the cell falsely indicate that they had been sentenced under 295-C – the Blasphemy Law.
Protests
MFI has held many protests and rallies over the years to bring attention to the way their members are treated in the country of Pakistan and about their cause.
They staged protests on the 16th of August, 2005 in front of the Pakistan high commission in London and on the 24th of August, 2005 on 10 Downing Street, London, UK.
On the 25th of July, 2005, MFI members in Pakistan staged a rally in front of the Parliament of Pakistan in Islamabad to express their support for Pervez Musharraf in his anti-terrorism endeavors.
On January 4th, 2006 they staged two protests simultaneously, one in front of the White House in Washington D.C., United States of America and the other, again in front of the Pakistan high commission in London to raise awareness about their members being persecuted in Pakistan as well as to talk about their message. , London, on January 4th, 2006. Signs held by protesters said that "Peace activists are being persecuted in Pakistan" and "Pakistani media patronized Al-Qaeda Terrorists". Furthermore, they declared the prophesied Anti-Christ to be the head of the Taliban, Mullah Omar and that "Religious clerics teach hatred in madresas instead of love".
In regards to the demonstration in front of the Pakistan High Commission in London, MFI claims to have done it to bring attention to the fact that more than 50 innocent members had been arrested in Pakistan and 8 had been booked in false cases of blasphemy. In addition they claimed that MFI members and their families had been harassed by police and their homes had been raided.
MFI also held a protest at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on January 18th, 2006 to bring to their attention the situation of their members in Pakistan. They also held protests on the 25th of January, 2006 in front of the White House during the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s meeting with former President of the United States George W. Bush and well as the 26th of January, 2006 in front of Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They protested on the 8th of February, 2006 in front of Saudi Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in front of the Iranian Embassy in London on the 27th of February, 2007, and on the 15th of February, 2007 in front of Saudi Embassy in London, UK.
Expansion
Currently Messiah/Mehdi Foundation International has centres in Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Greece, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. In association with their sister organization, Kalki Avatar Foundation , the organization has centres located in Sri Lanka and India. Representatives of MFI often visit spiritualist expositions and programs. They have also been known to hold major events themselves.
Media
MFI is also responsible for putting out three monthly newspapers. Their newspaper, 'Hatif-e-Mehdi' (Also known as 'The Voice of Mehdi') is distributed in Urdu, English and Arabic.. They also distribute a magazine titled 'Messiah Herald' in English. Their literature is circulated worldwide. In addition, the organization has recently received media attention for the cases against their members in India and Pakistan., The movement also has official Youtube channels. MFI has an official blog also, updated by AlGohar himself.
External links
- The Official Website of Younus AlGohar
- A Fan Page on Facebook, dedicated to MFI's Mission
- The Official Website of Messiah Foundation International
- Gohar Shahi.com
- Informative site about the predictions of Nostradamus
- Mehdi Foundation International Official Website
- Kalki Avatar Foundation International Official Website
- Details about Persecution against MFI Members
- A website dedicated to the Divine Signs
- The Official MFI Blog
References
- ^ Structure and objective of the Mehdi Foundation and the perception of this movement in Pakistan (PDF), 5 December 2008, retrieved 9 October 2009
- ^ "Universality of Ra Gohar Shahi's Teachings". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - ^ "A detailed introduction to Mehdi Foundation International And it's Objectives" (Press release). Mehdi Foundation International. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
- "About Mr. Younus AlGohar". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - Morell, Steve A. (7 September 2008), "The Kalkia Avatar Foundation exemplifies Divine Love", The Island, retrieved 9 October 2009
- ^ "Return of Lord Jesus: Lord Jesus meets Lord Gohar Shahi in America". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "Islamic Terrorism Holds the Whole Humanity Hostage" (Press release). Messiah Foundation International. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
- "An insight into manifestation of Human Images In the Moon, Mars, and various others planets". Retrieved 10 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "The Tower of Divine Love and Light". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
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{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "Press Release" (Press release). Messiah Foundation International Media. December 25, 2005. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
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{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - "MFI successfully demonstrated a Protest Rally in front of White House, Washington DC America" (Press release). ALR News (MFI Media). 4 January 2006. Retrieved October 29 2009.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - "MFI organized a protest rally in front of Pakistan High Commission, London UK" (Press release). ALR News (MFI Media). 4 January 2006. Retrieved October 29 2009.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - "MFI Protests at United Nations Geneva" (Press release). ALR News (MFI Media). 20 January 2006. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
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{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "Interview with Younus AlGohar", The Island, 31 August 2008, retrieved 9 October 2009
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{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "New Life Expo 2008". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "MFI at the 'Mind Body Spirit' Festival London 2009". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dateformat=ignored (help) - "NewLife Expo 2008 Info" (PDF), ExpoInfo, Florida, p. 7, 4 May 2008, retrieved 9 October 2009
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"A News Report by Zee T.V." Retrieved 9 October 2009.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dateformat=(help) - the MehdiFoundation YouTube channel
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{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dateformat=(help) - "The Official MFI Blog". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
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