A Refugee spreads the faith in Lithuania

At 61, Spartak Najafov has already lived a lifetime of hardship and perseverance. Born and raised in Azerbaijan, Spartak’s journey to Lithuania—a country that offers the freedom to practice his beliefs without fear—was marked by personal loss, intense persecution, and a steadfast commitment to his faith.

Spartak, a married father of two, was a driver and car mechanic by profession, leading a quiet life until 2020, when he embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL). His decision to follow a faith considered heretical by many in Azerbaijan would set him on a collision course with his family and the local community.

“When I spoke about my faith in public, my family accused me of being an apostate,” Spartak recalls. “I didn’t let that stop me. I had found the truth, and I couldn’t turn away from it.”

In 2022, Spartak and a few like-minded believers took a bold step by opening a small studio in Baku to create videos promoting AROPL’s teachings. Their efforts, intended to spread understanding, quickly turned problematic. Spartak and his companions were accused of spreading ideas that challenged Islam—such as the belief that the Kaaba is located in Petra, not Mecca, and that the Quran had been altered.

Authorities wasted no time in shutting them down. On November 28, 2022, the police arrested Spartak’s fellow believers and closed the studio. A warning was issued: stop spreading these teachings or face severe consequences. But Spartak, who had already faced personal rejection from his family, could not abandon his faith.

“I knew what was at stake, but I had to keep going,” he says.

The breaking point came in August 2023. Spartak was abducted by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service. On his way home from work, a black van pulled up in front of him, and plainclothes agents forced him inside. He was taken to a basement where he was interrogated for eight days.

“I realized that in Azerbaijan, and in many Muslim countries, it was impossible to live freely and practice my religion,” he says. “I had to find safety.”

Spartak sought asylum in Lithuania, a country where religious freedom is protected by law. Since arriving, he has begun rebuilding his life. He continues to spread the message of AROPL, using social media platforms like TikTok and distributing flyers to educate others about his beliefs.

“I now have the freedom to speak my truth without fear,” Spartak says. “This is my mission, and I will not stop.”

While Lithuania has offered him sanctuary, the scars of his past remain. The betrayal from his family, the torture, and the constant threat of persecution still haunt him. But Spartak remains resolute. For him, the journey is far from over. He will continue his work, knowing there are others who are still silenced by fear.