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'''Guru Maharaj Ji''' is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He lives in [[Festac Town]].<ref name=Busari/> |
'''Guru Maharaj Ji''' is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He lives in [[Festac Town]].<ref name=Busari/> |
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Revision as of 03:05, 23 January 2012
 | This article is written like a personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay that states a Wikipedia editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic. |
Guru Maharaj Ji is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He lives in Festac Town.[1]
Biography
Once known as Mohammed Ajirobatan Ibrahim,[1] he comes from Oyo State and worked for Nigeria Airways.[2] He has travelled to India and London.[2] He has declared himself to be the Perfect Living Master,[1] and is also called the "Black Jesus".[3] He says that he has power over all illnesses and all problems affecting humanity.[1]
In 2000, he asserted that a visit by US President Bill Clinton to Nigeria was part of an American plan to open a military base in Nigeria and to take control of Africa.[4] In 2003, he said the re-election of Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria was part of a "Golden Change", for which he was responsible.[5] In 2004, he predicted that John Kerry would defeat George W. Bush.[6] The same year he held a press conference warning church leaders to use contributions in accordance with biblical principles, such as feeding the poor, or else they would face the wrath of God.[7] At a press conferenc in 2008, he expressed his strong support for Nuhu Ribadu as chair of Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying "The fight against corruption must be seen as a genuine effort to stabilize Nigeria and give meaning to all."[8]
Those who have sought spiritual guidance from him include Mohammed Abacha and Hamza al-Mustapha.[9]
Maharaj Ji leads a communitarian group variously called the Divine Light Mission,[10] the Divine Love Family,[1] the One Love Family,[3] the One Love Mission,[11] or One Love, One Family.[12] It has an ashram, called "Satguru Maharaj Ji Village",[2] on a lonely stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, near Ibadan.[13] Followers are vegetarians[2] and wear badges as signs of their patriotism.[14]
In 1989, former members claimed that 200 bodies were buried around the ashram. Maharishi Ji was arrested but the charges were dropped when no bodies were found.[10] In 1999, the ashram was burned down by youths connected to the Iju Youths Progressive Union who were angered by the alleged killing of a Ghanaian man by devotees.[3] Maharaj Ji was charged with the crime along with twelve disciples, and was kept in jail for several months but was acquitted in 2000.[2][11] While incarcerated he received an average of 25 visitors a day.[15] The judge criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence.[11] A state governor tried to shut down the ashram and acquire the property, but Maharaji Ji was able to prove ownership in court.[10]
Maharaj Ji disavows any connection to Prem Rawat, who also led a group called Divine Light Mission and was also known as the Perfect Master and Guru Maharaj Ji.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e Busari, Adewale (August 9, 1999). "God Is Above Every Body -Guru Maharajji". Africa News Service.
- ^ a b c d e Anucha, Chris (May 6, 2002). "Travails of the Living Perfect Master". Africa News Service.
- ^ a b c Okoro, Anthony (November 17, 1999). "Iju Youths Battle Guru Maharaj Ji". Africa News Service.
- ^ Ali, Anthony (August 22, 2000). "Religious Leader Warns about Consequences of Clinton's Visit". Africa News Service.
- ^ Ekah, Mary (April 30, 2003). "Obasanjo's Re-Election Portends 'Golden Change' - Maharaji". Africa News Service.
- ^ "Nigerian Seers And Their Impaired Vision". Africa News Service. Nov 8, 2004.
- ^ Laba, Oghenekevwe (March 30, 2004). "Utilise Offerings Religiously, Maharaji Cautions Clerics". Africa News Service.
- ^ Ekah, Mary (Feb 1, 2008). "Ribadu - Cleric Warns Okiro". Africa News Service.
- ^ "Today In A.M. Newspapers". Africa News Service. General OneFile. Gale. December 22, 1999.
- ^ a b c d Hackett, Rosalind (April 2001). "Prophets, "False Prophets," and the African State: Emergent Issues of Religious Freedom and Conflict". Nova Religio. 4 (2): 187-212.
- ^ a b c Ige, Ise-Oluwa (Feb 23, 2004). "Justice Oduneye Bows Out of Bench Today". Africa News Service.
- ^ Ekenna, Geoffrey (April 4, 2002). "Whose Message?". Africa News Service.
- ^ Elesho, Richard (Sept 22, 2000). "God On The Highway". Africa News Service.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Asoya, Sylvester (Sept 22, 2000). "Behold The Redeemers". Africa News Service.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Silence Roars In Railway". Africa News Service. 02 Mar 2000.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)