Guru Maharaj Ji (Nigeria)

Guru Maharaj Ji, born Mohammed Ajirobatan Ibrahim,[1] is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He lives in Festac Town.[1] He has declared himself to be the Perfect Living Master, Guru Maharaj Ji,[1] and is also called the "Black Jesus".[2] He says that he has power over all illnesses and all problems affecting humanity.[1]

Biography

Ibrahim born in Africa, comes from Oyo State . He worked for Nigeria Airways and travelled to Africa and London.[3]

Maharaj Ji leads a communitarian group variously called the One Love Family,[2] the One Love Mission,[4] One Love, One Family,[5] the Divine Love Family,.[1][6] It has an ashram, called "Satguru Maharaj Ji Village",[3] on a lonely stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, near Ibadan.[7] Followers are vegetarians[3] and wear badges as signs of their patriotism.[8]

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.[6] 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.[2] Maharaj Ji was charged with the crime along with twelve disciples, and was kept in jail for several months but was acquitted in 2000.[3][4] While incarcerated he received an average of 25 visitors a day.[9] The judge criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence.[4] A state governor tried to shut down the ashram and acquire the property, but Maharaj Ji was able to prove ownership in court.[6]

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.[10] 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.[11] In 2004, he predicted that John Kerry would defeat George W. Bush.[12] 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.[13] At a press conference 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".[14]

Those who have sought spiritual guidance from him include Mohammed Abacha and Hamza al-Mustapha.[15]

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.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Busari, Adewale (August 9, 1999). "God Is Above Every Body -Guru Maharajji". Africa News Service.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Okoro, Anthony (November 17, 1999). "Iju Youths Battle Guru Maharaj Ji". Africa News Service.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Anucha, Chris (May 6, 2002). "Travails of the Living Perfect Master". Africa News Service.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ige, Ise-Oluwa (Feb 23, 2004). "Justice Oduneye Bows Out of Bench Today". Africa News Service.
  5. ↑ Ekenna, Geoffrey (April 4, 2002). "Whose Message?". Africa News Service.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Hackett, Rosalind (April 2001). "Prophets, "False Prophets," and the African State: Emergent Issues of Religious Freedom and Conflict". Nova Religio 4 (2): 187–212. doi:10.1525/nr.2001.4.2.187.
  7. ↑ Elesho, Richard (Sep 22, 2000). "God On The Highway". Africa News Service.
  8. ↑ Asoya, Sylvester (Sep 22, 2000). "Behold The Redeemers". Africa News Service.
  9. ↑ "Silence Roars In Railway". Africa News Service. 2 Mar 2000.
  10. ↑ Ali, Anthony (August 22, 2000). "Religious Leader Warns about Consequences of Clinton's Visit". Africa News Service.
  11. ↑ Ekah, Mary (April 30, 2003). "Obasanjo's Re-Election Portends 'Golden Change' - Maharaji". Africa News Service.
  12. ↑ "Nigerian Seers And Their Impaired Vision". Africa News Service. Nov 8, 2004.
  13. ↑ Laba, Oghenekevwe (March 30, 2004). "Utilise Offerings Religiously, Maharaji Cautions Clerics". Africa News Service.
  14. ↑ Ekah, Mary (Feb 1, 2008). "Ribadu - Cleric Warns Okiro". Africa News Service.
  15. ↑ "Today In A.M. Newspapers". Africa News Service. General OneFile. Gale. December 22, 1999.