RAWALPINDI: Thousands of traders and activists from religious parties gathered in Rawalpindi on Sunday to call on the government to stop ‘unconstitutional’ activities of the Ahmadiyya community in the city.
The protest, arranged by traders’ associations near the Holy Family Hospital, was attended by activists of Jamaatud Dawa, Jamaat-i-Islami and the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. Members of the banned militant organisation Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan were also in attendance. Over 5,000 people were part of the protest, led by traders’ union representatives Sherjeel Mir and Shahid Ghafoor Paracha.
The rally took place in Satellite Town, where anti-Ahmadi banners had appeared earlier this month. An Ahmadi worship place, Ewane Tawheed, is also located in the area and traders said it was built without prior official approval.
Although the rally was held to protest alleged land ‘encroachment’, speakers used the occasion to demand that Ahmadis stop religious activities such as proselytising and worshipping. It was announced that an intersection close to the worship place will be named the Khatm-e-Nubuwat Chowk.
Participants carried flags of different religious parties, including some banned ones, and portraits of the self-confessed assassin Mumtaz Qadri who killed former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer. They also chanted slogans against Ahmadis and their ‘uncalled for’ activities in Rawalpindi.
‘No objections to Ahmadis’
But protest leader Mir told The Express Tribune that they had no objection to members of any community living in the residential area. “The Ahmadis purchased the building in E-69 Satellite Town a few years ago from their own people and established a worship place here. They also started preaching in the residential area, to the discomfort of their neighbours,” he said.
The problem, he said, was that the worship place was located near the hospital and the Ahmadis, who have suffered brutal attacks in the past couple of years, have erected barriers and posted private guards on the main road for security.
“They have raised walls and installed security cameras. Snipers have been posted at the rooftop. It looks like a fortress,” he said.
However, members of the Ahmadi community said that the building was constructed after the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, a registered organisation, purchased the land and they could use the building for worship.
The members, requesting anonymity, said that following the attacks at their worship places in Lahore in which 93 people were killed, they erected movable barriers. Every Friday, they said, young men and police personnel are deputed for security following approval from the district administration.
One community member said that following the protests, they had removed security measures.
Meanwhile, Rawal Town SP Malik Matloob Ahmed said that adequate security measures were made for the protest rally so that nobody would get near the worship place. “Every participant was searched before allowing entry to the protest.”
He said the matter had been referred to the district coordination officer, but despite repeated attempts, the DCO could not be reached for his comments.
COMMENTS (74)
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strong textI am surprised about Raiwind Tableeghi Jam a,at. Where are they who should come out to uphold No Compulsion in matters of faith (Alquran 2:256). It shows they are sleeping or they do not support peaceful preaching. strong textemphasized text
Why don't we just send all the Ahmadis to India. I personally know so many who do not utter a thing against Pakistan in spite of so much violent discrimination against them. I am sure that all Ahmadis will readily leave for India and given what we have seen till now in our sub-continent, they will not be unwelcome there.
When will the Pakistani press have the courage to call a Mosque a Mosque?
It is heartening to read the comments on the news report on the protest against Ahmadiyya community in Rawalpindi by traders and sectarian religious organizations. All I say, it is the moral duty of us, the majority community to come out in public to condemn and protest against such act of religious intolerance and extremism. Our silence in the public space has given free hand to these people.
@Arshad: @s shah:
Afraid he is. Arshad's absolved all Mullahs from accountability or responsibility for propagating extremism in our society i.e. justifying ideological violence, xenophobic conspiracies, patriarchal conservatism, religious label superstition, anti-science, intolerance, etc believing they're saving us with 'true Islam' (Which 'true Islam'? Taliban's?) from a gay apocalypse.
Not all Mullahs are culpable, but one should recognize the hypocritical regressive criminal terrorist contributions by Mullah Omar, Mullah Baradar, Mullah Radio, Fazl-ur-Rehman, Masood Azhar, Mufti Munir Shakir, Maulana Abdul Ghani, Mullah Sangeen Zadran, Mullah Dadullah, etc. A respected title of scholarship, became a title for extremist jahils.
Supposed 'secular' politicians may have caused a failed state by corruption, but unlike other failed states, ideological clergy and military men, worsened it. Would hardly call Zia or Sharif, 'secular', but doubt objectivity can penetrate right-wing prejudiced delusion.
@ arshad ; "Mullahism zindabad". You cant be serious!
Majority of readers are against Mullahs, but we know that Pakistan is run by secular politician who used used religion to give bad name to mullah. When we will be to finish mullahs, our mosques will be desserted and we will adopt pre-Islam culture. Homosexulity and lesbian culture we will adobe. Off course we will Muslim by name and once a year we will visit to a shrines. Do we want this type of Islam? Certainly this type of Islam will not be adopted until last Mullah is alive. Mullah will be teaching true Islam until day of judgement. Mullahism Zindabad.
@kaalchakra:
What a nice and to the point reply to shakky. Well done kalchakra, keep it up
shakky
"Islam doesn't have clergy" is a nice punch line, but don't run with it unless you want to build an Islam all of your own. Christianity doesn't have clergy either the way you define things.
When a person goes on an anti-Mullah rant, that is the first clear sign of both ignorance and hypocrisy.
Pakistan Khappa Despite all this
@Muhammed Usama Aziz: Dear Usama i extremly agreed to you that Encroachment is wrong no matter who do it. but Please note, there is no matter of encroachment ,it is a matter of freedom to practice the religion ,Ahmadis alway respect the law. They never like Encroachment. . Please read the complete story and specially the urdu News Paper then you realise the facts . Regards
Way to go Rawalpindi, the city of my days of Youth. Way to go Pakistan, the country of my birth. You continue to spread your arms and invite me back into your bosom of love, care, tenderness and tolerance. You give me so much protection that I can close my eyes and fall backwards, knowing full well that you will be there to catch me and never let me fall.
Way to go my country, my town. With you I fall ... Without you I fall!
Amazing. Somebody actually posted a comment that the protest may have been justified because people felt insecure about the activities of the Ahmedi minority. Of course, that pales in comparison to the comment posted by another exceptionally bright light bulb that mullahs are necessary in order to induct newborn babes into Islam, officiate at marriage ceremonies and lead janazah prayers. Sometimes I wonder why more Pakistanis don't win Nobel prizes. Reading these sort of sharp comments brings me back to reality very fast.
Oh, and a word to the bright light who highlighted the need for mullahs - Islam doesn't have a clergy and you don't need the affirmation of anyone to become a Muslim. As for the sensitive soul who empathized with those who are fearful of minorities - don't worry, the mullahs will protect you.
@xzy And we don't even need any person {xzy} to teach us about Islam
Why is everyone getting excited here? They just protest whats wrong in that? Don't they have right to protest if they are feeling insecure about these Minorities Activities? After this protest the Administration would for sure interfere and find some solution, may be this is a protest to take something suspicious people felt, under notice of administration
@Arshad:
Extremism is not fault of Mullahs, need to educate the public, create jobs, provide housing and compulsory free education till age 18, then there is hope to get rid of extremism.
The head of the traders association is poor?
@Khan: Mansoor Ijaz do not belong to Ahmadiya Jamat. Yes, his parents were but never ever he was a member of Ahmadiya jamat. Never ever he attended any function at Ahmadiya centers and never ever he enrolled in any religious organization. He is a secular person with no religious strings attached to anybody. Please correct yourself.
@Khan wrote: How interesting, these same guys want Mansoor Ijaz to come to Pakistan as their hero, well knwoing that he is an Ahmadi
Spreading rumors is strictly condemned in Islam. Do you have any proof that MI is an Ahmadi?
@sunny: You don't need a Mullah for entering into Islam, be it at birth or adulthood. Any family member of a newborn child can recite Azan into his/her ear, adults just need to recite Kalima Tayyiba.
No Mullah is needed for solemnizing Nikah, it is the foremost duty of the bride's father or guardian to do so, with the families of the bride and groom bear witness. Mullah's have just forcibly made it their profession.
Lastly you don't need a Mullah to lead the namaz-e-janaza or any regular prayers for that matter. Again it's preferable for someone amongst the deceased family to lead the funeral prayers.
Extremism is not fault of Mullahs, need to educate the public, create jobs, provide housing and compulsory free education till age 18, then there is hope to get rid of extremism.
Encroachment is a separate issue but this hatred towards fellow human beings is sick and disgusting.
@arshad, I assume you live in Western Europe or N America, if so then you may know how you got treated after 911.
Everyone is a minority at some point in their life, whether it's by colour, religion, sexuality and so on.
Religion is between the almighty and an individual - so we shouldn't judge others instead self improvement being a better human bring should be a priority.
Pakistan in control of these uneducated Mullahs since 1984, These Mullah have license from Federal & provincial Govt to kill and do whatever they want to any Ahmadies. But whole country is suffering now due ti this unjust.
How interesting, these same guys want Mansoor Ijaz to come to Pakistan as their hero, well knwoing that he is an Ahmadi
Problem is, in Pakistan human rights are unconstitutional.
@Muhammed Usama Aziz: If you bothered to go and see you would realise there is no "encorachment". Furthermore, where are you Mr Right and Moral when it comes to encroachment and land grabbing by so called mosques and madrassas??
Bigots! Not much hope for Pakistan if we don't stop these extremists - they will eat us like cancer!
@Arshad:
"They should establish their worship place in the area where majority of Qadianis live. Qadianis are Pakistani and they have rights have their worship places but in Muslim majority areas."
Would you be saying the same if Hindus object to mosques near Hindu places in India? If your logic is applied, more than half the mosques in India would have to be declared "inappropriate".
Most of the comments here against the Mullahs while i fail to understand what the term Mullah means in Islam? For a true Muslim we are supposed to be the true followers of Islam and there is nothing for which we should be called Mullahs or Fundamentalists. So those who are trying to request the whole nation to protect a minority should try to make their request in a polite manner instead of labeling all others as Mullahs and Fundamentalist. If you are yourself so full of hatred, what else you expect in return? And its a Muslim country so Ahmadis should be given protection as per Islamic laws and at the same time, Ahmadis should try to live their life while respecting the religious of Muslims who are the majority of this country.
Pakistan is for everybody not only for extreemist. Let us learn to co exist and make pakistan a better and tolerant pakistan. we will build a stronger pakistan when all the energy is devoted for the unity of pakistani people.
How will islam be reformed? Look at the indoctrinated masses in the pic. How ill they be reformed? Is there any hope for pakistan? The moderate muslims need to start a campaign to reform islam. No hope otherwise. Taliban will take over if muslims do not reform islam in pak.
Those who actually give a damn about Ahmedis should form a human chain outside the said mosque in Pindi as a mark of solidarity/protection towards them against the face of these Takfiri monsters.
@ bigsaf: You gave a good example, people in West do not take much interest in their religion because they have good source of living. They just drink, music and entertainments, where as people of Pakistan, India and Bungladesh are very poor, they hardly feed their family. Their satisfaction are religion and politics. They are highly spiritual whether they are Muslim, Hindu, Christian or sikh. They are ready to kill for sake of religion and politics. In this I can't blame Ulamas or Mullahs for spreading hate, politician playing games" divide and rule".
aslamoalium .. love for all heatred for none
pakistan needs a secular constitution one in which the country isnt free from religion but free for every relegion. only then can these religious fanatics be stopped.
@Rahman: You have given a good perspective. Still let's not generalize. Not all mullahs are hateful and not all westernized Pakistanis bash mullahs.
@sunny: I agree. We, who like to call ourselves liberal and open minded have gone overboard in mullah bashing. If that's liberalism I'd rather be a westernized mullah.
@Arshad: In that case, the right-wingers in the US were right that the Manhattan Islamic community center should not be built in NY. Or in fact no mosque should be built in US communities, as majorities are still non-Muslim and therefore Muslims should be only in isolated areas far away from non-Muslim majority. Maybe if they're only residential areas, then it's okay....
Notice the hypocrisy and prejudice?
Your rationalizing and justifying majority Muslim bigotry against the minority Ahmadis in Pak. Perhaps it's time to instead for the majority to mature and stop being religiously intolerant right-wingers and show some diversity acceptance, at least basic tolerance.
I am surprised why people are so hateful of Mullahs though they need Mullah to enter Islam on birth, pray behind them, call one for getting marriage and even ask to say funeral prayer when saying good bye to this world. If someone fall in some trouble then this "hateful" Mullah is asked to pray for them. Please impartially judge "Who is hypocrate".
I don't live in Pakistan and don't hate Qadianis, but I know that why Muslims protesting against a residential place using as a Qadiani worship place. If Qadiani use this place for residence only, none will protest. They should establish their worship place in the area where majority of Qadianis live. Qadianis are Pakistani and they have rights have their worship places but in Muslim majority areas.
Christians and Ahmeids have been rewarded for supporting the Pakistan movement. Their votes resulted in the division of Punjab. Had Punjab not divided it would have a population of 48 percent hindus and sikhs, had that been the case, would the muslims be as powerful as they are in Punjab 2day. Most of the Anti ahmedi, anti christian and antio shia violence is in punjab. the ahmeids and christians are being rewarde by kicks for supporting Pakistan.
Nauseating... Sick!!
A claim that Pakistan was created to give equal rights to all faiths A claim that all minorities are safe in Pakistan A claim that it was Bhutto who made sure that everyone get equal rights in pakistan. ALL GOES IN TO SMOKE EVERY DAY AND NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE. AND THOSE WHO SUFFER HAVE ONLY ONE DOOR LEFT TO SEEK HELP FROM ALLAH THE GREAT TIME AFTER TIME IT HAS BEEN PROVED THAT NO BODY COMES BACK FROM THERE EMPTY HANDED.Certain minorities taking advantage of the perception that they get harassed and discriminated against by everyone elase, try to take extra economic benefits like grabbing land (not necessarily illegally) forming monopolies and cartels and effecting illegal blockage or restriction of competition in the market place which causes resentment and manifests itself in different forms of violent and unacceptable reactions. And this I believe is a worldwide phenomenon. Satellite Town is no exception where traders used religious groups to express their economic complaints. I believe the District administration handled it very professionally.
If they have built it legally, then why not take to courts rather than playing by Media and trying to produce "images of persecution?". When did the doors of courts close to anyone?
Saddened and disgusted at the treatment given to Ahmendis and to all minorities. Punjab govt is encouraging religious extremism. In what self respecting country would banned extremist sectarian organisations operate openly like this. And why does Imran Khan not say anything about this or about the demolition of the church and Catholic welfare home by the Punjab govt. ?
Sharif’s Punjab Government was convicted of criminal negligence in May 2010 attack on Ahmadis. It seems this government is not interested in giving security to minorities. In May 2010 similar campaigns were held by religious extremists in Lahore. On the tragic day of May 28, 2010 large banner were on display in Lahore, asking for social boycott of Ahmadis and calling them enemy of Islam. This should be wakeup call for Sharif’s Punjab government; it seems that in coming days a major attack can be carried out against individual Ahmadis or their gathering; Punjab government should ask law enforcement agencies to take down all unlawful banners asking Ahmadis to leave area.
"The banners also termed the community’s activities against Pakistan’s constitution, which declares Ahmadis non-Muslims."
If they are non-Muslims, are their activities against the constitution of Pakistan?
Preamble of our constitution states:
"Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess and practise their religions and develop their cultures;"
Article 20 states:
"Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions. Subject to law, public order and morality:- (a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion; and (b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions."
ironicallly, its Prof Abdus saalams 86th birth aniiversary today but anyone dare mark it or raise it in the major media... very very sad. "your religion has nothing to do with the business of the state" in reality we have just forgotten these words of our leader.
What a tribute to Dr Abdus Salam on his birthday 29th Jan.
@Anwar Ahmad: You missed the fact that the word 'encroachment' is enclosed in quotes in the heading
Unfortunately all govt claims 'minorities has equal rights but where?
Where is Chief Justice? Why he is silent?
The Ahmadi community is accused of encroachment, which makes the headline of this story biased. Term "alleged" should have been used.
If we continue like this, Pakistan will surely become 4 countries. Our political parties, including the greatest Revolutionary, imran khan won't comment. This is because they need support of religious parties & militant groups like SSP, JuD, HuM.. Who are all very active in Punjab.
But no matter how much people like me howl here, nothing going to change. Most Paki's are illeterate & some read Urdu. We don't count.
The politicians, the Generals care a damn. Am not a Sunni, but am a Paki, but most of us in the sect are scared. Next 5-10 years will be really critical!
Let them live in peace In allready feel disgusted when I sign the passport forms
Pakistan was a nation created as an attempt to stop the abuses against a religious minority (Muslims in India). We are now a nation that perpetuates the abuse against religious minorities (Ahmedis and Christians in Pakistan). Does nobody else see the irony?
When Mosques in Islamabad encroached on state land in Islamabad, the maulvis responded by taking the law into their own hands. Whether the Ahmedi community is encroaching or not, it is not for a non state actor to pass threats or take the law into their own hands.
the punjab govt seems to be helping these extremeist.this govt is not protecting minorities as we have seen in lahore in church grabbing case and now in pindi they are trying to repeat this episode.how you will decieve the world as on one side you are saying that we have ban these terrorist organisation and on another hand you are using them and allowing them to carry on their henious crimes.
All Pakistanis paying tax, are resp on govt to be protected.
Headline of this story also reveals how much media is biased against minorities specially Ahmadis. This headline presents Ahmadis as encroachers which is not true in this case.
JuD is now active against Ahmadis after failing their primary function of Jihad in Kashmir and Afghanistan. This unfortunately will further deteriorate law and order situation in Pakistan.
Bravo!! Simply the word ahmadis appear and people will start supporting them without finding out the details. Encroachment is wrong no matter who do it.
Such incidents are coming up very frequently against minorities in Pakistan. Ahmadies are no exception to it. Rather this community is facing the maximum blunt. Few days back German home ministry disclosed in year 2011 more than 2500 Ahmadiyya community members fled the religious persecution in Pakistan and sought refuge only in Germany. Number went to other European countries was also quite big. All this is bringing a very bad name to Pakistani Nation abroad. World has become globalized and any untoward incident about humanity is reported with in seconds all over the world. There are hindered of thousands Ahmadies who are very loyal and faithful citizens of Pakistan. Never ever any Ahamdi has been reported involved in anti state activity. First FM of Pakistan belonged to this community. As long community member MM Ahmad was in the planning commission of Pakistan, the country developed at a very fast pace. The only Nobel laureate Dr Salam brought good name to country also belonged to this community. Many devoted community members served the nation both in civil and uniformed positions. In fact it is time for the political elite to revive and review the existing situation. Anti Ahamdiyya law, Blasphemy Law and 1984 Zia ordinance are the main causes of all this happening to Ahamdies, Christians and Hindus. Salman Taseer and Minority Minister Mr Bhatti all were victims of such laws in the country. Mere presence of such laws make many extremists to feel trigger free to silence the voices which they do not find in accord acne with their own perceived interpretation of Islam. All these laws and ordinances negate the basic human rights of the minorities. If political elite is unable to address the issue then CJ of Supreme Court Can always take a suo moto action and can repeal such anti human laws and ordinance.
If they are such great upholders of the law why is there no word on thousands of illegally built madrassas and mosques? Hypocrites and bigots, the bunch of them.
What is Punjab government doing to protect minorities? its CM promises to provide security to an American citizen, and helps another one to fly safely home, when his own people live in a state of great. Would ch. Iftikhar start taking interest in real issues plaguing this country instead of wasting time in politics? in this particular case, if things are not handled properly and immediately then very quickly they would get out of control. The local trader must be having his eyes on the land and is using religion as his tool trip grab it. shame on the participants of this really, and shame on Punjab govnment for its support for the extremist elements.
It is quite astonishing and shameful at the same time the way a minority is being harassed. I have witnessed the banners that sprawled up in the area and the sheer intolerance of the people who are incited is also surprising. No one has the right to obstruct any other community/minority from saying their prayers. We need tolerance and pluralism in the society not mad rage, it has never solved any problem but created countless. It is high time that people realize this. Societies evolve by being encompassing various beliefs and harmony not by seclusion and marginalization.