Younus AlGohar
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Younus AlGohar (Urdu: یونس الگوھر, born Mohammad Younus; June 16, 1970) is a spiritualist, a sufi and a humanitarian who lives in London, England.[1] He is the co-founder of the spiritualist organization, Messiah Foundation International, as well as its sister organizations, Kalki Avatar Foundation and Mehdi Foundation International, all of which he formed under the apparent guidance of Ra Gohar Shahi to advocate the teachings of divine love and global peace based on the the philosophy of divine love introduced by Ra Gohar Shahi. [2] He is the managing director of the Interfaith Institute of Divine Love, as well as an author and poet.[3][4] Messiah Foundation International claims that Younus AlGohar is the official representative of Ra Gohar Shahi. Miracles are attributed to AlGohar's credit, that he performed during his propagational tours around the world.[5][6] AlGohar has a masters degree in Organic Chemistry.[7] He has authored many articles on Spirituality as well as the book Mysterious Horizons - Beyond God (2007), and has mentioned the upcoming release of 'Declaration of Gohar Shahi's Mehdi-hood - in the light of the Qur'an & A'hadeeth' along with two others, in 2010 which are to be in English, Arabic & Urdu.[4]
Authored books
- Rukhsār-e-Riaz (2002) (Poetry) Urdu, Roman Urdu and English. (رخسار ریاض or The Face of Riaz)
Early life and work with Ra Gohar Shahi
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Goharshahi_younus.gif/220px-Goharshahi_younus.gif)
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, AlGohar grew up practicing Islamic Sufism. However, he claims that nothing would satisfy his thirst for the truth until he met his spiritual master, Ra Gohar Shahi at the age of 15. On the subject of the meeting, he stated, “When I first looked at the comely face of Gohar Shahi, I felt instantly that I knew Gohar Shahi all along; long before we had even come to this world." [7]
He spent 24 years under the discipleship of Gohar Shahi.[8] In those 24 years, AlGohar was put through spiritual discipline and struggle to obtain the spiritual enlightenment of the soul, heart, and body while at the same time mortifying the "Self" (also known as the Nafs), which, according to the teachings of Ra Gohar Shahi, is a negative spirit born inside every human.[9] According to his website, part of the spiritual struggle was through refraining from luxuries for three years so as to deprive the Self and therefore weaken it.[10] The methodologies and teachings of Ra Gohar Shahi can be closely related to the teachings of Sufism.[8]
In 1999, Gohar Shahi was recorded in saying, “I will meet only Younus now, and Younus shall meet the world on behalf of me.”[11] After this, many followers of Gohar Shahi looked to AlGohar for helping them on their spiritual journey when Gohar Shahi disappeared in what followers believed to be along the lines of miraculous occultation.
Founding of MFI
After the disappearance of Gohar Shahi [12], AlGohar gathered a great portion of the following of Ra Gohar Shahi under the platform of Messiah Foundation International (MFI). It was founded in 2002, and its formation was heavily opposed by Anjuman-e-Safroshan-e-Islam, an organization based in Pakistan claiming to be associated with Gohar Shahi as well[13]. The first centre for MFI was established in London, which is also the headquarters of MFI.[14] Today, the organization has grown to include centres in Canada[14], USA[14], South Korea[15], Sri Lanka[14], Japan[15], Australia[14], India[14], Greece[15], Thailand[15], Bangladesh[16] , Taiwan[16] and Pakistan[17] as well.
Goals
According to him, among his core aims are:
- Preaching spirituality for all irrespective of religion or cultural boundaries [18]
- Revolutionizing humanity with revival of spiritual insight. [18]
- Establishment of inner and outer peace, as well as elimination of hatred in today's global societies[18]
- Enlightening hearts with divine energy[18]
- Herald the second coming of Jesus Christ and Ra Gohar Shahi[18]
Accomplishments and works
He was named an ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the Universal Peace Federation in 2005. He studied at the Karachi University and furthered his education by attending the Manchester University. He also took exam placements at Cambridge University. Amongst the followers of Ra Gohar Shahi, AlGohar is considered a poet for His Ghazals and Qasidas praising Shahi.[3] Furthermore, he has written many articles on spirituality in various languages. [19] He is notable for his authoring of the book Mysterious Horizons-Beyond God.[4]
Beliefs and views
He does not claim to be a Muslim but rather a "devout servant" of Ra Gohar Shahi, and he practises what he considers the latest religion, "the Religion of God" [20] which AlGohar claims Gohar Shahi has introduced to the whole of humanity.[1] He claims that he does not reject any religion including Islam but argues that the spiritual system in all the religions has diminished now, and the humanity needs a fresh guidance.[17] AlGohar believes in all the Prophets, the Messengers and the saints no matter what religion do they come from.[19] He claims to not hate or reject any religion at all, however, he asserts that these religions have been modified with the passage of time, and this alteration in the religions have caused them to fade their original glory which helped humanity find God.[21] [22]
About Islam
In regards to today’s Islam, AlGohar considers that the contemporary form of Islam is not the "Islam that the Prophet Mohammad founded".[23] “At the time of the Prophet Mohammad, there was no denominations like the Wahhabis, the Sunnis and the Shiite. The Muslim Ummah divided itself when the Noor excreted out of their hearts. People have lost contact with God, because they lost the true application of Spiritual sciences.” [24][25] He believes the contemporary form of Spirituality that Muslim Sufi's practise isn’t the original teachings of Sufism. “Sufism is all about inner-purification and getting united with the Essence of Divinity.” [26] In a press release, AlGohar quoted Ra Gohar Shahi as saying: “In order to recognize and reach God; learn spiritual sciences no matter what religion or sect you belong to.”[27]
Universality, Islam and divine signs
He declares that all humanity is but one nation, and God's love is but the true "immortal religion" that which even God himself practises in the realms of his personal being. AlGohar also declares that Ra Gohar Shahi has brought about God's religion on Earth to equal all human beings with the Prophets, Messengers and the Saints.[28] When speaking about Ra Gohar Shahi's teachings, he quoted Shahi as saying: “Let all humanity taste God's personal love, and let all hearts be drawn to the Face of the Lord.” [20] He propagates that images of Shahi have become prominent on various celestial bodies like the Moon,[29] the Sun [30], Mars [31] and the Nebula Star,[32] and that it is a divine signal from God to introduce Ra Gohar Shahi as the Most Awaited Divine Figure of all times, the Mehdi, the Messiah and the Kalki Avatar. He declares the teachings of Shahi as the "elixir of the hearts", and a must for the aspirant of God to reach him (God). AlGohar opinionates the Goharian Spiritual Sciences as the best solution to reform the society and declares it to be the most essential to societal rehabilitation.[33] AlGohar states that it seems many Muslims do not approve of AlGohar for his adaptability to different religions and sects.[21] Whereas he declares broadmindedness as the core of spirituality. He states all humanity is God's creation, therefore there should not be discrimination among them.[34] AlGohar believes that "there are more than one God in the higher realms however there is but only one creator, and servitude is applicable to the creator only, and it is not enough for a God to be seeking servitude from the humanity created by somebody else." [4]
Challenges to opposition
He often challenges the Islamic Scholars to have “a healthy debate on this topic should it arise a theological reservation among the minds of petty scholars.”[35] In particular, AlGohar has challenged Tahir-ul-Qadri to debates on spirituality, saints, and Islam[36] The spiritualist claims that Ra Gohar Shahi is the Awaited Imam Mehdi, the Promised Messiah, and the foretold Kalki Avatar, and that it is evident in the light of the images becoming prominent on various objects such as the Moon, The Holy Black Stone in Mecca, Mars, the Sun. He further adds that those wishing to dismiss this claim should do so only after they have gone through a "...thorough probe into the matter, and if somebody still feels unsatisfied, he is cordially invited to ask questions and he will be replied in earnest".[9]
Opposition
Anjuman Serfaroshan-e-Islam, an organization which also claims to be associated with Ra Gohar Shahi, rejects the teachings that AlGohar projects under the label of the Goharian Philosophy of Divine Love.[37] Anjuman Sarfroshan-e-Islam seems to vehemently disapprove of AlGohar, and considers him as an enemy of Shahi, nevertheless, most senior members from the following of Gohar Shahi declare AlGohar to be a true reflection of Gohar Shahi in character and Spirituality.[21] It is reported that Anjuman Serfaroshan-e-Islam officials do not allow their members to meet with him, because they fear he is a magician and he will convert all that meet him.[37]. To the Pakistan-based organization, Anjuman Sarfroshan-e-Islam, AlGohar seemingly is a highly unapproachable person. Anjuman Sarfroshan-e-Islam allegedly blamed him to be an "agent of the Jews", and a dedicated enemy of Islam.[37]
The Pakistani government has instigated cases of blasphemy against AlGohar, though the details on how he blasphemed have not been specified. The penalty for blasphemy under the laws of Pakistan is death.[12][17][21].
Activities
As the believed representative of Ra Gohar Shahi, AlGohar takes tours to propagate the Goharian Philosophy of Divine Love along with his international team from Messiah Foundation International. During his tours, he has often spoken at religious and nonreligious institutes, as well as spiritualist expositions about spirituality according to Shahi’s teachings, global peace and tolerance. He has been known to offer free spiritual healing of the “mind, body and soul”, the results of which often being considered miraculous. [5] [6] In addition to his tours, he delivers speeches addressing sensitive issues affecting the global community which have been released by his audience onto the internet i.e. YouTube, Facebook etc. [38][39] He also has his own official YouTube channel [40]and contributes to the Messiah Foundation International blog[41]. Among the videos is live footage of AlGohar reading out extracts from his writings and commenting on them, as well as challenges to Islamic Scholars such as Tahir-ul-Qadri[36]
Response
AlGohar's ability to communicate with people from different sects, cults, religions and nationalities has allowed him to be invited into their respective worship places. In an interview with Asian Pulse Television, he stated, "People who are peace-loving and who recognize God's love, they receive us wholeheartedly, a sort of red carpet welcome. There are elements of sectarianism, fanaticism and extremism in all religions. And people who follow the fanatic path, they don’t like our message because we don’t talk about any religion; we talk about humanity, we talk about love and peace."[8]
Quotes
“Our slogan is love for all, hatred for none.” – Interview with Asian Pulse Television, Vancouver, Canada.[8]
“Every religion considers itself to be the best of all religions. The best religion should attract all humanity, and shape the character of humanity into that of loving, caring, and peace promoting.” – Mysterious Horizons.[4]
“Love makes all hearts gentle.” – www.theawaitedone.com [11]
“There are two dimensions in all religions: outer and inner. Outer knowledge is already very common in all religions. Therefore, we don’t prioritise it in our message. However, the inner dimension has become extinct in religious circles today. We lay emphasis on cleansing of the heart and the Self. The outer knowledge is like the potato skin, while the inner knowledge is the core. It is the inner knowledge that connects the human heart with God whence it becomes enlightened. Some Muslims say this is a bizarre concept, however, Prophet Mohammad laid the entire foundation of faith upon purification and enlightenment of the heart. Prophet Mohammad said, ‘O’ children of Adam, there is a lump of flesh in your body, when this is enlightened, the entire body becomes pure, and the entire body becomes corrupted if it is filled with mischief. Remember well: It is your heart.’” –www.riazaljannah.com [24]
"One Muslim fraction says: 'Spirituality, knowledge that deals in purification and enlightenment of the heart, and Sufism is unholy.' On contrary to this, Ra Gohar Shahi says: 'Without the purification of the heart, all worship is unholy, insincere and a total waste.’" -www.divine-signs.org [9]
References
- ^ a b Morell, Steve A. (7 September 2008), "The Kalkia Avatar Foundation exemplifies Divine Love", The Island, retrieved 11 October 2009
- ^ "Kalki Avtar Ra Gohar Shahi". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Qasidas about Riaz Gohar Shahi- Rukhsaar-e-Riaz". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c d e f
"Mysterious Horizons-Beyond God". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Younus AlGohar at New Life Expo 2007". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Ms. Patricia Speaks about her Experience with Younus AlGohar". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "About Mr. Younus AlGohar". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c d AlGohar Younus (2008). Asian Pulse News (TV-Series). Vancouver: Asian Pulse Television.
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- ^ a b c "An insight into manifestation of Human Images in the Moon, Mars, and various others planets". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ "The Terrestrial Souls". The Messiah Herald. London. December 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "Honoring the Awaited One". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b
"Mehdi Foundation International". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "GoharShahi.Com and Younus AlGohar has nothing to do with R.A. Gohar Shahi(translated)" (Press release). Anjuman Safroshan-e-Islam. June 27, 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f "Interview by the Island Newspaper Sri Lanka", The Messiah Herald, London, December 2008, retrieved 11 October 2009
- ^ a b c d "Interview with the Island Newspaper Colombo, Sri Lanka". Retrieved February 5th, 2010.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Brief History of MFI". Retrieved February 5, 2010.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c Whalley, Kirsty (September 30, 2009). "Croydon religious leader faces life in Pakistani jail for his beliefs". Your Local Guardian. London. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ a b c d e
His Mission, London, Unknown, retrieved 20 January 2010
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(help) - ^ a b "The Function of Messiah Foundation International". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Universality of Ra Gohar Shahi's Teachings". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c d Structure and objective of the Mehdi Foundation and the perception of this movement in Pakistan (PDF), December 5, 2008, retrieved 11 October 2009
- ^
"Do you await a Messianic personality?". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "His Holiness Imam Mehdi Gohar Shahi in the mirror of our observation". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "The Tower of Divine Love and Light". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "A detailed introduction to Mehdi Foundation International And it's Objectives" (Press release). MFI. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ "Connecting Humanity with God" (Press release). MFI. unknown. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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(help) - ^ "Brief History of MFI" (Press release). MFI. August 21, 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^
"A Peep Into MFI". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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"Ra Gohar Shahi on the Moon". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Ra Gohar Shahi on the Sun". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Ra Gohar Shahi on the Mars". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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"Ra Gohar Shahi on the Nebula Star". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ "The Awaited Ones" (Press release). MFI. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ AlGohar, Younus (December 2008), "Spiritual Path and the Contemporary Spiritual Concept", The Messiah Herald, London, retrieved 11 October 2009
- ^ "Islamic Terrorism Holds Humanity Hostage". Retrieved 11 October 2009.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Challenging Tahir-ul-Qadri". Retrieved 23 February 2010.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b c "Anjuman Sarfroshan Islam opposes MFI and Imam Mehdi Gohar Shahi" (Press release). MFI. November 19, 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
- ^ "Imam Mehdi's Teachings". Retrieved 25 January 2010.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Suicide Bombing is strictly prohibited in All Religions". Retrieved 25 January 2010.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Younus AlGohar's YouTube Channel". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
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(help) - ^ "The Official MFI Blog". Retrieved 9 October 2009.
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External links
- Younus AlGohar's Official Site
- Messiah Foundation International Official Website
- 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
- Official MFI Blog
- Divine Signs Propagated by MFI
- 1970 births
- Living people
- Sufism
- Spiritualists
- Spiritual teachers
- Spiritual writers
- British humanitarians
- Nonviolence advocates
- Pacifists
- Founders of non-governmental organizations
- Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi
- Pakistani immigrants to the United Kingdom
- University of Karachi alumni
- Alumni of the University of Manchester
- English writers
- English poets
- Sufi poets
- British academics