HARIPUR:
For some bigots, putting up a portrait of a man vaguely associated with the founder of the Ahmadi sect is enough to deserve being ‘punished’ with exile from the district and a ban on your business.
That, at least, has been the experience of Sheikh Arif, a hakeem (practitioner of traditional medicine) in Haripur. A gathering of so-called ‘religious’ leaders took place in Haripur on Monday, where they ‘decided’ to ‘expel’ Arif from the district and ‘banned’ his business.
Arif’s supposed ‘crime’ was to have a picture on his shop’s signboard of Hakeem Muhammad Hussain, allegedly an associate of the founder of the Ahmadi sect, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiyani. It was not immediately clear why the so-called religious leaders found the portrait quite so offensive. Where they felt they got the authority to ‘ban’ a business and ‘exile’ a person also remains unclear.
The meeting was attended by representatives of all factions of the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, the Aalmi Majlis Tahafuz Khatm-e-Nabuwat, the Shaban Khatm-e-Nabuwat, the Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat, and Wafaq ul Madaras. Attendees warned the district administration of agitation if the government failed to ban Arif’s entry into the district.
Without offering any evidence, the gathering accused the hakeem of preaching the beliefs of the Ahmadi sect, which they claimed was unconstitutional. They seem misinformed on that front: Article 20 of the constitution states “every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion.”
Arif himself, meanwhile, appears to have disappeared. His shop was closed when this correspondent visited, though the ‘offensive’ portrait had been removed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (64)
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Ahmadiyya Islam is true islam, No Mullah can do debate with any Ahmadi, even with an Ahmadi child. They never read Holy Quran they never read Mirza Sahib Books, They want to show Force only and reason is that they can not defeat Ahmadiyya Islam. Now Pakistani Mullah are fighting with Allah, let see where is end and what is result.
In a country where "hear-say" play major role in "mob justice", so courts are influenced and judges are threatened to exile. Where out of group women are singled out as the sinner and a prostitute (where prostitute do their business openly). Where people are manipulated daily and coerced into gaining sinister political and financial gains Where the corrupt political & religious leaders roam around freely WE MUST PUT ASIDE GOING AFTER ANY MINORITY FOR ANY REASON, PERIOD.
@Yasin:
Many sects were not there in the beginning such as Brelvis, Wahbais, Ahl-e-Hadith, Deobandis etc. These came much later on and hence the fatwas on them, and by them, and killings as a result is a later days phenomenon. All sects earlier or later consider others kafir and there are fatwas of liable to be killed by them, for each other too.
@Yasin:
Would those be the "rights" regularly accorded Christians in your country -- and throughout the Islamic world --, Yasin? The rights exemplified by the behavior recorded in the link below?
More power to mullas and thekedars of islam. i have absolutly no sympathy for any pakistani. u guys tried to burn kashmir for 3 decades. now let this fire consume you all.
I'm an American secularist with Judeo-Christian heritage and leanings, who lived and worked in Peshawar for a year and a half in the late 1960's. I have mostly good memories of my time in Pakistan, though there was much about it I did not understand well at the time, and I wish the best for its people.
In my view, those of you who would prefer a, modestly, liberal state and society face a severe, possibly insurmountable, problem with the ideologies of Sharia and Jihad, which are simply incompatible with and violently opposed to liberal society and secular values. I predict -- I see no way you can avoid -- a violent conflict with the Jihadis. I assert you cannot, in the long term, live in peace with them, nor they with you (or anyone else).
I hope other readers, especially those from Pakistan, will address the issue I raise here. How do you see your country? In what direction, politically and socially, do you see it developing. What is your hope in the face of the aggressive exclusionary and terrorist tactics of the Jihadis?
Differences- political, religious, social would always remain. That's the beauty of human mind and it's ability to think which makes us different from animals. The lions do not let anybody in their pride. It may be a lion's trait but at the end of the day, no matter how much we glorify a lion, it remains an animal. Point being that God has given us the power to think and believe in what's right - Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion - The Disbelievers 109.006
I wonder why some people specially Mullas are so scared of Ahmadis A true Muslim should have a faith which is strong enough to stand up to non believers and leave it to Allah to punish them.oh my God....exhaustive account of beliefs and counter beliefs; while being religious and believing in God is aommendable, abhorent is to believe in my GOD and think other's GOD is not correct; worst is to forget principle human values and cite examples from holly books to justify the point; how can one be mad; how a rational mind can see hanging picture of an old man as a crime!!! how can this be a part of religious Dos and Donts!!! it sounds terrible....
@goggi Islam brought modesty and civilization to this world and this thing even non muslims of west and east every body accept even in india how peoples of fellow faith were treting we all know and in west how Roman Kings used reliegen to prosetecuted peoples and quranic law are great law even today if some where the get implementation and the things about gay and lesbians things they are stone age things and still considered bad in civilized societies what u thing if your son or daughter become like that how your feeling gonna be and last thing islam is complete reliegen there is no room for any false prophethood or new mehdi thats finals and constitution of pakistan ban any propagation of this particular group or cult.
He should be grateful to this ulema 'jirga' that they 'banish' him only and did not slaughter him on the town square to set a possible example! Pakistan say Zinda Bhag!
Doctrinal differences between mainstream majority Muslims and Ahmadies must be settled by open, peaceful and tolerant debates. Victimizing Ahmadies for their beliefs is certainly un-Islamic.
@Gul Khan: If homosexuality is a religion, one can practice and preach, it would be a constitutional right. Anything can be a religion.
Haven't you heard...Mullahs can make up their own laws and get what they want...
@Jameel: I am not talking of the present day school of thoughts and the mullahs. I am talking of the 4 aimm'a karam of sunni islam as well as shia school of thought right from the beginning. Do not make a sweeping statement on the basis of the deeds of present lot of mullahs in justification of terming ahmadis as sect of islam.
@Bigsaf: Pakistan is an Islamic republic state, not a secular state where religion and state affairs are two different things. Islam is a complete way of spending life right from the personal hygiene to running the state affairs. Islam is very particular about protecting the minorities living in a muslim state. Now if state fails to ensure their safety, Islam cannot be blamed for that. The so called secular elements are making their all out efforts that Pakistan be declared a secular state and religion should be separated from the state affairs BUT this will only happen in their dreams.
Where is the government. All maulvis should be dumped to Afghanistan and Pakistan should be declared secular state.
I think state needs to take care of all the other religions including the followers of Mirza. Non Muslims should have all the constitutional rights and on the other hand they should also refrain from creating tension in the society as I can see the media is not playing a good role for the past many many years; not displaying a balanced picture. It goes this way or that way.
Come on most of you need re-education which is in scarcity nowadays. Well for Muslims you can go through Holy book of yours that you believe is as it is since revealed. I think that is easily available from that part of world you live in or can borrow from the holy places and after reading it stop the childish blaming of preachers and versions of the religon I doubt from this conversation that you got no seriousness in anything but blaming others.
Regarding my fellow non-muslims they should re-educate themselves by learning from history which is full of acts of torture from the time when muslims started conquering world with their tricky tactics. They will remain coward and shadowy forever they are even not decisive on the status of their prophets some say they have one and some say two and most say it doesnot matter.
Muslim rulers never let minorities get to high ranks. so their minds will never change. Dont expect any sanity from these bunch of fools. they just fight everyone even one another. leave their towns and let them burn them themselves.
@Ali Tanoli:
That is not how it goes. Put in proper context, the US is not much of a liberal nation, considering they have conservatives too.
Most of those candidates or politicians turn out to be Christian Conservatives (some Democrats too) who were hypocritically running on a 'family values' platform, or 'God values' platform having illegitimate affairs, gay or straight, while married. Barney Sanders is a liberal Democrat whose openly gay and isn't called by anyone to step down.
@Ali Tanoli: Dearest, USA cannot be compared with the Humanist Secular Spirit of Western Europe where Capitol punishment is abolished and many prisons have the function of rehabilitation centers. Whereas in the USA, they still have the collective joy to kill humans on their electric chairs or with a poisonous injection.
Coming back to the topic, it is a very interesting realization for me, how many stone-age mentality people exist in Pakistan. Or perhaps the stone-age humans were not at all so primitive and backward as these soldiers of Islam??? In the name of Islam, many people are practicing the laws of Jungle, jiski laathi uski bheens! With their laathi they are harassing my beloved and peace loving country people Ahmadi musalmans, they are harassing the khawaja saras and turned them to beggars and forced prostitution, they are harassing Christian, Hindu, Sikh brothers and sisters! In fact if they don´t like your nose, they might blow your head off!
From the 11th of November 2011, we are entering the AQUARIAN AGE, an Age of Higher Consciousness and Spiritual growth!!!!!
We Muslims need to interpret Islam correctly and not as we please, Muslims portray to be followers of peace and tolerance but in reality we are barbaric and that is NOT Islam, Any whi dares to speak tolerance is immediately targeted by ill taught so called religious nutters..
@Khan sahab, Yes we understand what u saying but when those peoples crossed the line then what and if u remember what happend in 70 on faisalabad station any way if jinnah become founder of pakistan then what all those peoples who secrificed they were not ismaelis.
@Umer: FYI, Mr Jinnah was from Ismaili sect and he married a Zoroastrian/Parsi. You need to listen to his speeches ... He carved out Pakistan for all Muslims and at the time Ahmedis were Muslims too It was in 1970s when constitution was changed. Mr Jinnah created a democratic government and never asked for Movlies to run the affairs who are self proclaimed champions of religion which they are not, their only job is to perform prayers and give guidance with their religious knowledge when some one willingly seek it.
@Gul Khan: The problem is that we act aggressively against other people if we think they are doing sin totally forgetting sins can be forgiven after all its between GOD and that person. We totally forget that if in our eyes one is doing a sin he/she will be answerable for that after death. Why do we have to force our views and belief are we all that good that we have to force our good views on others? Do we not commit any crime and sin every now and then our self? IF one is homosexual they are not harming me then that is his/her personal life and Shouldn't be my business at all. I should rather concentrate on making my own life a better one. We will gladly take bribe, will back bite, will give favors to our own siblings in giving them jobs, will eat the money that some one lends us and will never give tax(zakat) nor will respect others but when it comes to punishing others we will hold a brick and break their head. HYPOCRITES!!
@Realist: I am no secularist but as a believer of Islam I have been told there is a day of judgement and on that day every one will answer for their sins and wrongs and will be awarded for their goods. Then why shouldn't I have problem with some people acting as self proclaimed gods and telling others to do this and that. Preaching is one thing which informs others of your point of view on religion while forcing others to do what you think is right is illiteracy, fascism and an act of barbarians. Why not let others believe what they think is right and let Allah deal with every one.
He is lucky enough if he survived in Hazara other wise few years ago what happend to some mirzais in Upper hazara.......
What a social suffocation, moral dispossession, collective heartlessness, and religious exploitation - all signs of a spiritually impotent and decaying society. Only Allah can guide us now.
@waqqas iftikhar: There are some basic set of beliefs in Islam that have been set by Quran and Sunnah, and well interpreted by a'imma karam, mujtahideen and fuqaha. These set of beliefs are agreed upon from the time of The Prophet SAW. Khatm e nubuwwat is one of these. If someone believes that there is a prophet after Hazrat Muhammad SAW and still claims that he is muslim, he is clearly mistaken in the light of Quran o Hadeeth and the saying and acts of sahaba e karam who fought against the false claimers of nubuwwat. There is no difference of opinion among muslims on this point. Read Quran and Seerat e rasool SAW and learn yourself. Just follow Quran and Sunnnah and no particular brand of Islam. As far as Ahmadis, if someone harasses them despite them being at peace, that's condemnable.
@Yasin:
All the sects of Islam are unanimous that every other sect is out of pale of Islam. Do you not see Shias and Brelvis being attacked and killed by Deobandis? Why is that for if that is not the case?
Still doesn’t explain why Shias and Brelvis are being killed.
@yasin - which are what exactly? whats the social contract? that they be harassed at each and every opportunity? islam is different for everyone, and we dont have a right to pass judgment on whose's islam is the 'right' one.
@Acorn Guts,
Ahmadis are one of the most tolerant and peaceful sects of Islam that I have seen over the years.
I'm afraid your are grossly mistaken. All the schools of thought of Islam, in the light of Quran o sunnah, are unanimous that the 'munkar e khatm e nubuwwat' is out of the circle of Islam and that's why it's been incorporated in our constitution.
They have the right and are living in peace in almost every city of the country. Problem only occurs when they try to cross the line and indulge in activities that are forbidden as per law and a social contract.
Islam offers ideal constitution that can guarantee welfare of state and citizens. Pakistan, unfortunately has adopted the interpretation of Islam given by these violent, holier-than-thou, self-righteous bigots which is nothing but a recipe for a grand disaster.
Ahmadis are one of the most tolerant and peaceful sects of Islam that I have seen over the years. They are being persecuted day-in day-out and I never hear of any violent reaction from their end.
@Realist....... does that mean all Hindus and Sikhs and Ahmedis and Christians and Agha Khanis and Boris and Parsis ....should also leave this country ...as apparently they are also in minority. Its is the exact mindset like yours which has brought plunged this country into this bottom less pit.
@Realist: no place for minorities in this country? a very humane and enlightened approach indeed! and then pakistanis have the sheer audacity to turn around and demand their 'rights' (e.g. wearing a veil, constructing mosques on every street corner,...) while living in secualr countries.
@Realist:
3.5 out of four provinces are ruled by secular parties. Hardly a minority, just not using guns as much as the other side.
Every lawyer who represents a murderer, a thief or a rapist agrees with the crime? I don't get it.
@Gul Khan: True that constitution is based on Islamic teachings but, it's man-made. IMHO, equating a reference from Constitution with Quran & Hadith is not appropriate and shows a logical fallacy in your argument. I condemn this event happened. Intolerance towards a person or group whose views are different from ours is brutal to say the least, especially when they are not trying to influence yours. In the long run, these acts would simply make us more distant from each other as Pakistanis and make us forget how to coexist with anyone else on this planet!
Nothing can change the destiny of this nation unless literacy rate is increased.The "jahil" spend a lot of money on obeying superstitious things but not a single paisa to get education .This nation has no access to the outside world and lives in its own small world like "kuyen ke maindak", they don't know how to associate with other nations or communities and only reason is that mostly they haven't seen the face of a school, and for school they think devils live there, the most suspicious place , but "madrasah"."mullah ki daur,ghar sey masjid tak",their life is based on this philosophy.Some "nami grami" clerics in that area have spread hatred among some communities,and they need to be punished first.they are like religious mafia.working there No one has any right to kill or isolate anyone just because he or she doesn't have the same belief .First we need to align ourselves.
Jinnah’s vision of secularism ?
LOL where do people get there twisted ideas from ? Jinnah was the lawyer of Ghazi Ilm-ud-din who murdered a book publisher for publishing a book, Muslims found offensive. And Allama Iqbal also participated in his funeral. So I'd say nothing bad in following Jinnah and Iqbal we don't want to join the so called modern enlightened secular brigade which knows nothing about Islam or Pakistan or Quaid or Iqbal.
Seven Fundamental Rights in the Indian constitution The seven fundamental rights recognised by the constitution are:[1] link http://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf
1) Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
2) Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality, right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offences and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3) Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and traffic in human beings;
4) Right to freedom of religion, including freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
5) Cultural and Educational rights preserving Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice; and
6) Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Does Pakistan have an equivalent?
@Syed: Did such a vision ever exist?
god save pakistan from theses mullahs
The usual suspects, doing the usual;
All secularists should leave this country if you don't want to live here. Afterall you are in minority.
they need to keep themselves busy, its obvious...
the image of pakistan in the world community is changing for the worse everyday;wont be long when the only pakistani muslims that the outside world trust will be ahmadis;also the best bridge in indo-pak relationship will be due to pakistani sikhs and hindus;but the way all these communities are being treated,pushing them out of the govenment positions and the community affairs,there wont be anybody left that can negotiate with the outside world;
“every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion.” ET is good enough to provide the point from the constitution. ET every now and then gives article in favor of homosexuality, I would request, please also give a relevant Hadith or Ayat from Quran on homosexuality.
Unless Pakistan returns to Jinnah's vision of secularism this country is doomed ! :(
Madness in Pakistan in the name of Islam.
Another case of the govt missing in action.
May ALLAH protect him and his family members. And give guidance to those elements who are involved in this incident.