The Believer Who Challenged a Philippine Sheikh

On November 23, 2024, Sheikh Abu Mahdi Anawari of the Ahlul-Bayt Philippine Islamic Assembly Inc. (ABPIA) in Suterville, Zamboanga City, released a defamatory and inflammatory statement against the AROPL. The statement labeled the teachings of the AROPL as heretical and claimed they were contrary to the teachings of the family of Prophet Mohammed.

The outreach team of the AROPL was blessed to interview Arlo Cananea Pamaran, a believer from the Philippines, who was close to Sheikh Abu Mahdi Anawari and initially reported his findings to him in an effort to convert him.

Arlo, previously a Christian, converted to Sunni Islam before deepening his understanding of Islam and discovering the divine leadership of the Ahlul-Bayt. He subsequently became a Shi’a. Eventually, he learned about the emergence of Al-Qa’im through another Philippine believer. Following advice, he read The Goal of the Wise by Imam Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq and watched his lectures on YouTube.

What ultimately motivated Arlo to become a believer was his wife, who was certain of Aba Al-Sadiq’s divine knowledge and clarity of vision. While watching Aba Al-Sadiq’s lectures, Arlo realized that when prophets received proof of Allah, they immediately prostrated without doubt, like in the story of Prophet Joseph, when his family prostrated to him. After this realization, he told his wife she was right, and they decided to become believers in Aba Al-Sadiq. He was amazed by the hidden knowledge with clear explanations and surprising revelations, such as the truths about the Ka’bah, Qibla, prayer, and the month of Ramadan.

Arlo Cananea Pamaran then reported his findings to Sheikh Abu Mahdi Anawari, who in turn published inflammatory comments about the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The Sheikh is considered the leader of Shi’ites in the Philippines through his organization, ABPIA. He graduated in Islamic theology in Iran and was given the authority to lead projects for propagating Shi’a Islam in the Philippines. Many so-called Shi’a scholars work under his supervision across various departments.

Arlo first met Sheikh Abu Mahdi Anawari at the Ahlul-Bayt Center in 2013 and knew him well due to his active propagation efforts on social media.

Arlo also shared that the Islamist and Shi’a sheikhs were alarmed by the knowledge he brought, particularly regarding the will of Prophet Mohammed. They were disturbed because many Shi’ites began questioning the core foundations of their faith, especially knowing Arlo as an active Shi’a propagator in the Philippines. These sheikhs failed to answer intellectual questions clearly and instead instructed their followers not to engage with AROPL spokespersons.

Following Sheikh Abu Mahdi Anawari’s statement, reports have surfaced of extremist Shi’as mocking the AROPL, insulting Aba Al-Sadiq, accusing him of being a false Mahdi, and labeling his followers as apostates. They have pressured Arlo to stop propagating AROPL beliefs, fearing further conversions away from their deviant and corrupt sects. However, Arlo does not feel they can easily persecute followers of AROPL in the Philippines as long as the law of religious freedom prevails. The Philippine Constitution, Article III, Section 5, provides: "No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, and the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed."

Arlo remains undeterred by threats and continues sharing the truth with the people, as it is his way of supporting his beloved Aba Al-Sadiq.

While these sheikhs have abandoned the teachings of Prophet Mohammed and corrupted the pure religion, Aba Al-Sadiq has come with undeniable proofs of being sent from the guardianship (wilayah) of Imam Ali. He seeks to restore paradise on earth for humanity with a core message of hope. His Manifesto of God guarantees access to decent homes, transportation, education, work opportunities, and medical care under his divine and just state.