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PTA bans official Ahmadi website: Report
Sources say Muttahida Ulema Board demanded that the site be blocked for blasphemous content.
Sources say Muttahida Ulema Board demanded that the site be blocked for blasphemous content.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has banned the official website of the Ahmaddiya community, alislam.org, according to a report published in The Nation on Friday.
A PTA official, speaking to The Nation, said that the site was blocked because, as per the Constitution, the Ahmadis are not allowed to propagate their religious views publicly. He added that the PTA has already blocked several sites with inappropriate content in the past.
ProPakistani had earlier reported that the site was blocked after it was accused of publishing blasphemous content against the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The Nation’s sources add that the Muttahida Ulema Board had demanded that PTA block the website for blasphemous content.
After media reports emerged of the site blockade, former MNA Farahnaz Ispahani tweeted saying that she had taken up the issue with concerned officials in Pakistan and is waiting for action.
Former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani also tweeted that the blockade “reflects religious intolerance and violates constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.”
Read more:
ahmadipersecution
Reader Comments (84)
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Oh wow and I can still acess a string of militant websites, youtube videos showing children being groomed for becoming suicide bombers and terrorist propaganda.
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Ban everything, it will only hurt Pakistan and Pakistanis.
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Excuse of blasphemy has become an easy method of oppression. Allegation of blasphemy does not require any evidence, court, judge or jury. Just a demand by Mullahs somewhere and the government, or a mob, would take action. We live in dark ages if anyone had any doubts.
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Good, as per constitution.
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How far we can go for this animosity to jealousy and bigotry!!! Nothing is wrong with Pakistani people but fanaticism that is reducing this country morally, economically and socially just to please a few mullahs, Taliban and extremist fanatics. Recommend
What’s left? Ban every thing. Let’s see where this blasphemy takes us!!
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Yes within one week they burnt a deranged man alive suspected for blasphemy, blocked a website on same suspicion, in the same week a woman suffered burn injuries from an acid attack but who cares about that we got the oscar thats what matters. Who cares if Hazaras are murdered or people are scared for their lives.
Lets block google as well because it shows you what is happening in the world, and shows world what is happening in this land of pure.
Lets block every thing that makes sense. Lets cover your ears and shut your eyes, blasphemy is in the air.
Well shouldn’t PTA be thanked for publicity? The good part is that now more people know about alislam.org then before! :)Recommend
Yes!!
PTA can not stop porn or others fatal websites.But they proved to be a great muslim by doing this..Well done!!
Keep it up.
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I don’t get whats wrong with blocking a website that publishes blasphemous content.
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Look the thing is i understand how an ahmadi might be feeling but in the whole world no one tolerates anything against their religion go to india say a word against their religious beliefs and god and godess similarly in every christain country, now in our constitution ahmadis are not allowed to spread their views in public so we will ban it, yes am against violence Recommend
But it’s still accessible..So it’s just a news not reality
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“You may belong to any religion or caste or creed…that has nothing to do with the business of the state. You are free, free to go to your temples; you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan.”
Founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah
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Great effort serch more contents near about and sent to PTA. Great effort hope to continue.
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I honestly don’t understand the difference between this democracy and dictatorship
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Democracy at its WORST
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For all those think that this is right, can you guys tell me that why we complain when someone write anything against our religion or make cartoons, as those guys did according to their constitutions which say ‘freedom of speech’ !! .. We Muslims are allowed to go any country and have every right to preach ISLAM but we just can’t tolerate a website ??
Grow up people and have some sense. Have some fate in your believes and give others right to say what they think is right .
Freedom of Speech for ALL or NONE !!!!
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Height of insanity! We surely have gone crazy.
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this is pakistan .. !!! is it quiad’s Pakistan !! is it islamic Republic of pakistan !! shame of Government.
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When sanity and rationlaity evaporates from civil soceity such decision are taken. Inforamtion technology is the hub for educational sorce in globalized world. If PTA considers its ban on, http://www.alislam.org, will have any effect it is mistaken. Searchers very soon will pave the way to access the website. By the way PTA what you are up to? For God sake do not bow your head to religious clerics other wise there will be no end to it. With each such step civil society is getting momento to its path of collapse and disaster. Is there any one left in the country who can put stop to such atrocities?
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Please tell us that how much you are acting on other constitutional rights of minorities?
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Before acquiring any nationality we are first Muslims,and being muslim we hav a responsiblity
to stop if any wrong or manuplated things coming for Allah n His Prophet(p.b.u.h) thru any channel..we should be broad minded and look upon other raised issues too but should never take these matters lightly. If the site was really comin up with misconception of our religion and prophecy it should def. be banned
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Not Working Here 1000 Likes For this PTA
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Remember we are called “The Islamic Republic of Pakistan”!
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Good job pta..
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Throughout the history of mankind who preached and stoped people Talking and Listeng.?The people who banned the debate was always wrong.The weaker in Argument always looks towards Sword and Bans.
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If you ban something then it shows you are either intolerant to anything you do not like, or you are afraid of that thing that your children might like it or you are a plain who relishes seeing others oppressed….!!!
I have seen this website as many of my colleagues are from this sect, I have never seen anything blasphemous on it….on the other hand biggest culprit of blasphemy are google, youtube, facebook and millions other sites……….ban them all….go back to rock age……
Islam is tolerance…if it was not then why were jews in peace in medina… take my point……..????
Islam is not a policing religion….it goes by live and let live……….Recommend
For everyone’s info, the website is banned in the UAE as well, so its not just Pakistan.
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@sharp eye:
i love ur comment Good Job PTA
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@sharp eye:
i love ur comment Good Job PTA
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Good job PTA.
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Website is banned in Saudi Arabia also.
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The more I defend Pakistan, the more indefensible Pakistan is made.
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O Pakistan and Pakistanis you should have nothing to interfere to the relationship between the Creator and His creation. O land of Pakistan everyday innocent people are being killed but Ulama will not be worried, how many women are being raped and Ulama will not open their mouth. even on internet so many naked immoral things are there but ulama will not request to be banned.
Please come to the beautiful teaching of Islam that there is no compulsion in the matter of religion and you should bring your evidences and proofs if only you are truthful.
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Seems like Ahmadi are top reader of ET
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cowards …
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@Iqbal:
So what else ‘Islamic’ do we excel in? apart from declaring people kafir all the time?
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Religion is supposed to be a source of enlightenment. In Pakistan, it seems to be a source of blind hatred.
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@sharp eye:
Now that’s just hilariously sad. If you’re going to post as another person to back your own comment up, it’s a pretty good idea to make sure you don’t accidentally post the exact same comment under both the “other you” and “you.”
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I am surprised that anyone should be surprised at this government action.
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For information of all the broad minded liberals out there, Ahmedis/Qadiyanis/Lahori Group can not propagate & preach there relegion in Pakistan. so, this ban by PTA is completely in line with our constitution. Hope this seems logical to you, since Islamic values & laws have no value in your eyes.
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this action shows the defeat.
we ahmadies take no tension of these actions.
if you have courage like men so come out with your arms and don’t take away our arms
than see who wins the heart winning war.(i don’t mean the material war).
the victory belongs to us in any case by the grace of ALLAH.
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@tariq: why dont you guys shift out of Pakistan? We dont like you anyway… So why bother with all this rhetoric of winning the ‘hearts & minds’?? We like minorities, just not you guys.
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@Muslim : Speak for yourself. Say “I” not “we”
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I do not intend to make a correction in Blasphemy laws of pakistan, Nor am i intend to suggest an amendment to sub clauses of constitution of pakistan, yet i rather request to wise head liberal,social,tolerant peoples to not to knell down before futher radicalised mindset and an idealogy that seek nothing but hypocratic sense of ruling with uncalled for means and ways. Get your head and heart together to defeat such forces which intend to knuckle up the sense of freedom and jinnah’s dream.
I Thank You.
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@M.: you can join them too… And its WE… its only wanna-bee ‘cool’ ppl such as yourself who are not a part of the ‘WE’… Trust me you guys are in a pathetic minorty :)
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@Acorn Guts:
I was being sarcastic. I totally agree with your implications. In fact I will go further. To best judge Pakistan is by looking at what independent foreign experts say about it. Pakistan seem to have taken the wrong turn from the very beginning and I hate to say this but the person who set the ball rolling in the first place was Mr Jinnah himself.
This link sums up the present sad story of Pakistan:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6940148.stm
In UK you ask an average student who Mr Jinnah was and they would not have a clue (as
opposed to other leaders of his time).
Its like me saying “can the last person leaving the room please switch off the lights”.
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@Muslim:
Let me remind you what ex President Musharraf said of the Muslim world:
“Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race”
Just like in Pakistan you want Ahmadis to be looked down, in UK and the West the “Muslims” are looked down. It is not done through their own choice but we have not adopted to democracy and the concept of “secularism”. To prove my point please refer to this UK Government article:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmhaff/165/16507.htm
Our future is bleak.
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the website is working fine !!! idiots
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They government has blocked the internet like it has blocked the supply of water to homes. The pipelines are there, but water will not be supplied.
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@Iqbal: it’s your future that’s bleak… Pakistan needs Imran Khan and we’ll be fine… Pakistan is a rising force. Our history is not much diff from the US… What doesn’t kill u, makes u stronger. Few challenges here and there don’t make u a failed nation. Our foundation is strong. Pakistan Zindabad!Recommend
What’s the address of the website?
Or should I just google Al Islam?
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@ali:
Are you 100% sure? If it is working then what for this fuss is going on. ET to be blamed for carrying a wrong report.
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@Maestro:
try http://www.alislam.org and let us know if it is working in Pakistan
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@Aadi Virgo: Only the educated people are top reader of ET !!
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Another needless stupidity!
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@talha: “I don’t get whats wrong with blocking a website that publishes blasphemous content.”
No one has proved the content is blasphemous.Recommend
Our Government was saleeping ,when it awakes ,found the issues againts the Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyyah. where were it when this web was being published on intrenet.Now our government has awake.
God will open more then Hundred doors, if one closed.Recommend
There are thousands of websites spreading hatred in the name of islam. PTA is blind to see them, This is the worst step taken by PTA. Blocking other religions’ websites is unethical. According to universal law (Pakistan’s constition) every person is free to follow his own religious teachings . Blocking Ahmadiya websites is actually religious racism.I am Secular: but i just dont support religious discrimination. I dont know why Pakistanis are so scared of Ahmadis,Hindus,Christens,Shias etc , they are a small group of peaceful people who are peacefully living their lives in Pakistan.
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@AntiKingClass:
It’s NOT accessible, so I’d say it’s pretty darn reliable news.
Someone here also said what the harm was in blocking blasphemous content. The harm is impeding freedom of speech. The BIGGER harm is not EXPLAINING what the blasphemous content was and just blocking the site CLAIMING blasphemy. Considering the CONTINUOUS persecution of Ahmadis for as LONG as I can remember, and ALSO considering their belief in Allah and his Prophet, I find it VERY UNLIKELY that they said ANYTHING REMOTELY disrespectful on that website, or even had to for someone to CLAIM they did and ban it, because in Pakistan, being labeled an Ahmadi is provocation enough.
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Anything done under the constitution of Pakistan, must be praised and appreciated.
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Banned still !!
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Capitulation by PTA to religious extremists demands is in reality a defeat of Islam the final greatest religion and it’s true followers. Islam is not weak nor is it devoid of able scholars who cannot counter academic attacks on Islam. By banning we are accepting defeat!
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Compromising your practice and belief in the name of (so called) peace and harmony is not justified especially since it may jeopardize the very faith of the society as a whole. Ulema are the gaurdians of faith on this earth. if they dont move to safegaurd the faith who will? /p>
Qadianis, are by law, free to practice their religion but not to propagate it. and for secular people commenting here who may not pay heed to the law of the Creator should keep in mind this is also according to the man-made law of pakistani parliament.Recommend
This website is blocked in KSA as well.
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The basic question is this:
Does everyone have a right to freely propagate their religion no matter how offensive, harmful, and destructive it may be to those of others who care for the religious views of people?
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@Lolly!:
The Pakistani Constitution does NOT prohibit any faith, including Islam, from “propagating” its views.
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I am not an Ahmedi, just an average Pakistani, but to my Ahmedi brothers, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for this insane behavior.
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@Muslim Yes Pakistan’s foundation is strong. The young and well educated want to leave the country, the government and politicians are corrupt, television ‘journalists’ take back handers, the police are incompetent, the telecoms infrastructure is on it’s knees, the civil service is politicised and lacks real talent, your railways arent even the envy of the third world, your national airline is bankrupt and only propped up by the government to avoid national embarrassment, when the Sunni’s and Shia’s are intent on killing each other, the Taliban happily step in, there’s mob justice, no justice, criminality on a mass scale, bribery, rape, murder, looting, the rich steal from the poor, need me to go on? Was this the Pakistan jinnah wanted? Let me tell you something, there are people in Pakistan who act and think like they have some kind of monopoly over Islam. Do they not look at their surroundings and think something had gone wrong somewhere? The Islamic republic of Pakistan? Only in name.
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AOA,
I think its wrong this is not fair. Ahmedies are minority and should be treated fairly. On other hand Ahmedi should abide law as well. Ahmedi is not suppose to call himself/ herself as Muslim and site was clear violation of law ” Law could be wrong i may not agree but its law”.
Instead of doing these act ahmedies should be invited for debate on TV, so that people can find the truth. If Ahmedies think media is biased they should start debate sessions on MTA.
Even Ahmedies need to understand their on religion.
For Ahmedies please visit http://www.thecult.info ( Ahmedi Beleife section) and ask your local leadership for answers.
Thanks and apologize if i hurt some one feelings
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Welcome to Islamic Republic of Pakistan !!
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Well done PTA
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@Talha:
FYI it is accessible, at least via wi-tribe. So its not blocked by PTA.
I don’t care which site is blocked, too many other important things to deal with in Pakistan! poverty, justice, heath care, education, killings! PEOPLE PRIORITISE THINGS STOP BEING AIMLESS AND RANTING EVERYTHING!
P.S DO CHECK THE WEBSITE ITS WORKING.
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@ UMS
You are mistaken when you equate opposition to this ban to mean that people do not value islamic principles.
In fact those who oppose this ban are doing so IN SUPPORT OF ISLAMIC VALUES. You know those values of tolerance, peace and decency which our rabid mullahs so easily discard in favor of the “values” of persecuting minorities, oppressing women, growing beards and killing anybody they don’t like.
Why is it that people forget the true fundamentals of Islam in favour of the totally ignorant “fundamentals” that actually breach the basic parameters of behaviour set for muslims?
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@Nadir:
Why not ban militant websites? Mr Malik!
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@Confused !!!:
We are not scared of others’ preaching, we are afraid of ourselves, not confident enough in our belief lest we change!
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PTA and Pak Gov’t ACTUALLY think they can stop the spread of Ahmadiyya Islam
Laughable!
People!!! you ban something, it increases the curiosity to check it out even more.
THANK YOU! MULLAHS, EXTREMISTS and PTA for banning such a site, you have just increased it traffic tenfold. Now, even more Pakistanis will check it out and find ways to access it.
And no… That site shows the love and respect Ahmadis have for Islam and Holy Prophet (saw), Quran, Sunnah and Hadiths etc… nothing blasphemous.
Baffles me that they don’t mind blocking Jihadist trainings videos, animal porn, erotic indian films/Dancing, etc… they BAN A SITE WHICH PROMOTES ISLAM AND LOVE FOR THE HOLY PROPHET (SAW). Recommend
For all of you, the website is not banned! only PTCL has blocked or God knows what’s wrong otherwise it’s still working. Had it been banned by PTA it would have been banned on all ISP’s. All those devout Ahmedi’s should change their ISP’s instead of whining about!
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Just info.. Website Working in London.
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The authorities don’t ban Heera Mandi which sits next to the largest mosque in lahore but need to ban this website – typical Jahil Pakistani mentality which we are now renowned for around the world
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@ OMAR- We have to make own country enlightened should not randomly make any arguments comparing Pakistan any other than country as being a patriotic Pakistani because our country has produced Scientists Nobel Laureate and world record holders of educations sector be an enlightened Pakistani. Our country has many hues in positive manner comparing any other than country diverse complications are because of Ulama do not want to see the generation of Pakistan in enlightened. Elm Hasil Karo Kawae Tumhe CHINE JANA PADE??????
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@Lolly!:
I agree with you. It is according to the constitution of Pakistan. Unless and until the constitution is scrapped there is no hope for the Pakistanis to “FREE” themselves of the “mullahism” which has plagued the country since 1954.
MAV
Sweden
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Pakistan is well on the road to self-destruction.
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@Muslim:
I’m saying about those who say Kaffir to the opponent, see what your mullah are doing with terrorists with chrches in Middle east, destroying and burning them, and killing innocents there blindly without judging who they are. Even kill Shias and say them Kaffir.
According to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) they people who believe me will be the worst beneath the sky during last days. Don’t u believe on it.
In majority people loves us in Pakistan and that’s why your country have some respect. Recommend
I think they want another Syria in Pakistan.
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