Allowing injustices to continue against Ahmadis in our society simply encourages others to act in a similar fashion. PHOTO: SHAMSUL ISLAM
The story of such highhandedness, perpetuated by extremist forces, is not a new one. We have seen many outrages committed against the Ahmadi community in the past. This time round, the United Khatam-e-Nabuwat group responsible for the action says it is seeking the blessing of God, and has said a case under the blasphemy law and other clauses specific to Ahmadis should be brought against the publishers of the magazine.
Allowing such injustices to continue in our society simply encourages others to act in a similar fashion to the men who have taken over the office of a publication which has been produced and circulated since 1951, when poet Saqib Zervi began it. The magazine is said to contain cultural, literary, social and other material. It is currently being run by the sons of Zervi, who himself died in 2001. The siege laid on the office in April simply cannot be allowed to go on. It is unlawful and adds to the prejudice that already exists against Ahmadis. Calls to reform laws which target them have been made but not heard. It is time for the authorities to prick up their ears. The Ahmadis have suffered massacres, discrimination of many kinds and other abuse. They need to be offered the protection that should be available to every citizen of Pakistan, regardless of their religious beliefs, so that they can go about their normal activities without the fear that currently haunts them.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2013.
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@ashar: A possible reply was submiited but ET editors did not find the courage to publish it.
The editorial “State of siege” says all the right things and one hopes government in Lahore shall take appropriate steps without further loss of time. However, while the editorial is a step in the right direction, it does not go the whole hog. It says indeed: “They [the Ahmadis] need to be offered the protection that should be available to every citizen of Pakistan, regardless of their religious beliefs, so that they can go about their normal activities without the fear that currently haunts them.” This is half hearted. If The Express Tribune had taken a complete view, it would have gone on to observe that the real injustice began with the proclamation of the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”. In this day and age it is anachronistic to establish a State on the basis of a religion, any religion. If all States in the world were based on this or that religion, we would have an eternal Age of the Crusades. Human civilization can only go forward – to States founded on secular principles and individual freedom guaranteed in the matter of one’s faith and belief. V. C. Bhutani, Edinburgh, 15 Jun 2013, 1920 GMT
@Hammad Mian: I endorse your question. Answer is requested from ahmedi jamaat.
As long absolute justice is ensured for each citizen, survival hope for nations remain alive. Deprive of justice cause the nations to disintegrate. Not understood why this simple message of history is not learnt by Pakistani leaders. Atorcities against peace loving communites are taking the country each day nearer to doom day. Please wake up.
Essentially this is the 'True Rulers' of Pakistan i.e. the DPC conglomerate testing the will of the Government. I guess those who quietly have watched Shias in general and Hazras in particular being massacred, will simply stand aside and watch this too.
@safeer ahmad: Defending the right of Ahmadis to live and preach their faith does not mean that we agree with their ideology and teachings. You can disagree but allow them the right to express themselves, just like we do for our own faith.
very difficult to awake the state's hibernated consciences.even social and cultural publications of ahmadies are prohibited in the era of vast communication.state's backed mullahs are forcing individuals to shut down these literary activities.on the other hand state itself had encouraged these bigots by blocking ahmadies web sites.
People tend to remove/erase what they don't like. @Hammad Mian:
The editors of The Express Tribune are still keeping the flickering conscience of the nation alight by writing such thought provoking editorials. History will definitely take an exception for you when Pakistan will be mentioned as a nation in future. Ahmadis are very resourceful and organised however; they never resort to violence as some of their adversaries do. The state has failed time and again in protecting the lives, properties and businesses of Ahmadis, even dead Ahmadis are not spared. You may recall, last year only few hundred metres from Mian Nawaz Sharif’s house at the Ahmadiyya graveyard the tombstones were destroyed by religious zealots during the early hours of the morning in the name of religion. The two worship places of Ahmadis in Lahore were attacked on 28th May 2010 by heavily armed suicidal terrorists killing 87 people. During the attacks Ahmadis due to their high level of discipline themselves captured and apprehended two terrorists from the worship places. No progress has been made against those two as yet. Both Sharif borthers must act in protecting the lawful rights of Ahmadis and stop this nonsense. Their silence is deafening.
@Hammad Mian: Mullah Umar is called "ameer ul momineen" on live TV - unrestricted .. of whom??
This holier than thou attitude has left us no where!
It is a shame how Ahamadis are treated in Pakistan. Just imagine so many Pakistanis are willing and happy to go to non Muslim countries and yet treat their own people with such evil intentions. I know many people from Pakistan who are living here for long periods and have no contact with Ahmadis. Strange, they are happy to take passports of these non Muslim countries and yet hate Ahmadis those who recite Kalma, read Koran and pray five times a day. But these hypocrites rather make friends with others who do not believe in any of these basic requirements of Muslims. The biggest problem is that when you defend Ahmadis, many accuse you of being Ahmadis. And I see these people fighting for more rights for Muslims living here.
Was Molvi Fazal din "Sahabi" of whom ?