SocietyHas a cult come to town? Behind the investigation

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light moved into a former orphanage in Crewe, Cheshire, in 2021. Its American-born leader, Abdullah Hashem, says he is the Mahdi, a messianic figure seen in Islam as mankind’s saviour. About 500 officers raided the group’s headquarters this year while investigating allegations of forced marriage, modern slavery and sexual offences.