An Ahmadi family in Khushab says it is being victimised by local clerics who instigated the expulsion of a 16-year-old from his school and are now pressing the police to register blasphemy cases against him and his father.
The father, Hakim Jameel, told The Express Tribune that activists of the Aalmi Majlis Tahafuz Khatme Nabuwat (AMTKN) were also trying to get his other two sons expelled from a college where they are ICom and BSc students.
AMTKN members insisted that the 16-year-old student of class 10 and his father had both committed blasphemy. They also made thinly-veiled threats to this correspondent not to publish this story.
Qari Saeed, the divisional president of AMTKN, and Waqas Ahmed moved the application seeking a case under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code against Rana Sajeel, 16, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), and under Section 289 against his father Rana Hakim Jameel for allegedly describing Sajeel as a Muslim in the school admission form.
The law does not permit anyone to call Ahmadis Muslims. Jameel denied putting down Islam as Sajeel’s religion, saying he had put down Ahmadi, as he had done when his other sons were applying to colleges.
He said the allegation against his son stemmed from a fight at school. He said that the school’s principal had overheard some students abusing Sajeel and had beaten them up. The students accused Sajeel of telling on them and beat him up. Sajeel then went to the principal to complain. “They made up a story, telling the principal they had attacked him because he made blasphemous remarks,” Jameel said.
He said that the principal of Al-Tahir Public School, Haji Aslam, was an AMTKN supporter and had lost an eye during a protest organised by the group. “The principal expelled my son and then got together with other AMTKN activists to lodge a police complaint,” Jameel said.
He said since the family had been accused of blasphemy, the AMTKN had been organising meetings at a mosque near their residence where they made inflammatory speeches. “People have turned against us,” he said. “We are under serious threat.”
He said that a property dispute may also lie behind the accusations. In August 2011, the Jamaat-i-Ahmadia had moved the courts against a woman named Zaibun Nisa who had tried to sell off land belonging to the Jamaat as her own, he said. Her grandfather had donated the land to the Jamaat in his will, he said.
The court ordered the registration of a case against Nisa and four others for fraud. She spent about three weeks in jail, before she announced that she was renouncing the community and moved in with Qari Saeed. He also arranged for her bail, Jameel said.
Qari Saeed said that he had no doubt that the police would register the blasphemy cases as “hundreds of students” had told him about the incident. Asked why he had not contacted the Khushab DPO when he was summoned as part of the investigation, he said: “The police should come to me if they need me. If I go to the police station, thousands of Muslims will come with me and there will be unrest.”
He admitted that Zaibun Nisa and her family were residing with him, but insisted that had nothing to do with this case. Asked about the property dispute, he lost his temper and hung up. Shortly after, a man identifying himself as AMTKN secretary general Abdullah phoned this correspondent and sought the address of The Tribune offices, saying he would send over some Lahore-based activists. As of late Wednesday night, they had not arrived.
A relative of Qari Saeed who taught at Al-Tahir School, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Sajeel had been his student and he did not believe that the boy had made blasphemous remarks. He said Saeed had a deep personal hatred towards Ahmadis.
Khushab DPO Imran Mahmood said that he was personally investigating the case and would not register the FIRs without substantial evidence. He said he would decide the applications in a few days.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (46)
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@mj: you proved two things - one that you have absolutely no knowledge of your own religion, let alone what others' beliefs are, and two - you have no knowledge of your own history. Hence you are a proven pseudo intellectual who has to join the band wagon to say something for the sake of saying something (join PTI). A good saying comes to mind 'light travels faster than sound, that is why some people appear to be bright until they open their mouths'.....I think you should stay away from things you have no idea about, dont invite Allah's wrath un-intentionally.
Think mullah is it not the time of mehdi? and if he really was a Mehdi that you don't know, what would happen with you at the day of judgment? Is it the teaching of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) to harass and killing innocent little kids even of kafirs, absolutely not. Man look in the mirror are we showing wrong face of islam or you?
Think mullah is it not the time of mehdi? and if he really was a Mehdi that you don't know, what would happen with you at the day of judgment? Is it the teaching of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) to harass and killing innocent little kids even of kafirs, absolutely not. Do something to develop your nation put down weapon against muslims.
Someone needs to define blasphemy - which is afterall punishable by death if proved. Quran does not say Ahmadis cannot call themselves Muslims. It is the Pakistani laws that says so. In India, the Ahmadis do call themselves Muslims and no-one including Indian Muslims like me have a problem with that.
Even if the person wrote in the form that they practiced Islam (he denies that) - how does this amount to blasphemy. At most it is violation of the Pakistani law and the person should get punished according to that law - if this is proven. Unless someone says derogatory stuff about the prophet or the Quran, how can it be considered blasphemy?
Finally the Quran also talks about fairness - right? Will the Pak government book all the Mullahs who openly say horrible things about Ahmadiyas under the blasphemy law? Would all these people also be punishable by death?
Is it reasonable to prescribe death sentence as the punishment for a crime that is sopoorly defined?
@mj study our books, we say no man will come and came before like him(PBUH). He is the one for whom the universe is created. Our Mehdi-e-maood (AS) said I AM THE MUD OF HIS(PBUH) SHOES. Is this the blasphemy? I request to those who made this issue. For the sake of loving Islam release them. Feel fear to the God(ALLAH) who is looking you. I pray for them for their safety.
@mj: the fact that you said that ahmadis should be "expelled" from Pakistan, makes you sound like a extremist, please understand Jinnahs vision on the creation of Pakistan, he granted all minorities the right to practice their faith,
If anything, an ahmadi would die than say anything negative about Prophet Muhammed. not many people know this, they are devout followers of sunnah and if we compare ourselves with them we will only learn a few things.
Please stop these religious extremisim from our country otherwise this country will not survive. Mulahs opposed Quaid i Azam and Pakistan movement while the minorities supported the both in a hope that they will beleive that the quaid's Pakistan will be a peaceful state where everyone could live peacefully and practise their way of beleives freely. but unfortunately these draconian Mullahs are spoining the principals of Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Where is Imran Khan, Nawaz Shareef Zardaris. Where does the minorities go in Pakistan?
@mj: You should be our President.
@mj: MashAllah, what a beautiful teachings of a Islam! If Pakistan was for Muslims only then why the founder of Pakistan wrongly promised freedom of faith to non-Muslims? Read his first policy speech after the creating of Pakistan. You are also justifying for all those countries where Muslims are in minority to expel Muslims because those country are not Muslim countries. Would it be okay if India announce tomorrow that India is only for Hindus and Muslims should leave that country? I am sure they will not do so because they have relatively less naive like you - I am just showing you the stupidity of your argument. Whatever the Western countries are doing against Muslims are also wrong but you are worse because you are doing on the name of Islam. At least they are not exploiting their religion, but you are portraying a beautiful religion of Islam as a ......., what a shame to have followers like you.
Pakistan is slowly evolving and by Jesus grace we will reach a time where everyone would live peacefully
@PAK Rules, My dear this episode proves, I, SaudiRules rules!!
Qadianis should be expelled from Pakistan, they reject khatm-e-naboowat, isn't that enough reason for them to be expelled, Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and anything that contradict Islam should not live here. Islam is as simple as following whats written in Quran and what is told by Prophet PBUH, you are NOT allowed to make any alteration in religion whether it be mullah doing extremism or a qadiani introducing new prophet. and btw this happens all over the world look at muslims living in france or germany they are not being allowed to do hijab or pray in universities and public places because its a catholic world and they wouldnt allow minorities to do anything that contradicts their beliefs or actions.
This not good. As a muslim, it is our duty to protect all non muslims pakistanis, including people of ahmadi faith.
Honour to The Tribune for publishing the story despite threats.
@Feroz: And these Hate Mongers should learn from history that all those empires who attempted to wipe out their minorities, were themselves wiped out from the face of the earth.These are internal differences of Pakistan which will accomplish the designs of the (ghost) adversaries of the state.
Rana Tanveer Sahib
we salute your courage . we all with you. Ahmadis are innocent. they are the follower of Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) how they dare to insult the last Prophet.
@Abdullah: It is unfortunate that educated people like you either do not try to understand the issue or just act ignorant? The problem is not the use or misuse of law; it is the extreme mind set and polarization of our society. This particular issue or the Ahmadi issue in general is just a part of the big issue. Socially, our mental state is such that any idea, ideology or perspective other then ‘mine’ is a crime. Justification of injustice to ‘me’ will eventually haunt ‘you’ too; it is just matter of time.
I hate Pakistan. It is a corrupt and violent country..... BUT...when I read the heartwarming comments left here by the people of Pakistan....it makes my heart soft. The people...(some..not all) seem to be good decent people. I read good logical and wonderful commets by Pakistanis...but the leaders are ruining your land.
Go to the web site below and give me feedback. I want to hear from the people of Pakistan:
www.infideltaskforce.com
And still we seek religious freedom abroad!!!! Talk about hypocrisy!
It is sad to know this is happening in my home district of khushab. Where is shahbaz sharif? the chief minister of punjab. It is his duty to protect the minorities. Oh i get it, he will never take notice of this because it might turn into another salman taseer like incident. We pakistanis are cowards. Cowards and hypocrites!
Help Needed..
Our Peaceful religion Islam has been hijacked by the extremists and fanatics Mullahs! Is there anyone who will help in this matter.. ?
Mark my words the day is not that far when the Mullahs will rule this country and it will be disaster for Pakistan !!!
@Rana Tanveer.... I thankyou from the Bottom of my heart for the Courage you have shown to publish this Tragic reality that is now happening on a daily basis, specially because, as always, True Journalists like you have been threatened every time the write a story about the plight of ahmadies in Pakistan.
Now as far as the BASE of the whole story goes... I am COMPLETELY SHOCKED and SPEECHLESS at what the CORE of the issue is all about. i.e. An Ahmadi "MUSLIM" dishonouring (God Forbid) our Beloved MASTER PROPHET MUHAMMAD(May Thousands upon Thousands of Peace And Blessing be upon him) ??? This is something that is NOT JUST IMPOSSIBLE but UNIMAGINABLE in every possible sense of the 2 words.
We, the Ahmadiyya "Muslim" Community have shed OUR OWN blood for just this 1 cause for the past 100years that whatever our opponents say to us or do.... They CANNOT and WILL NEVER be able to keep our hearts separated from OUR BELOVED MASTER MUHAMMAD(p.b.u.h)..... in short....We have died in the past..... are dieing today.....and will continue to DIE for the Love and Respect of Our Master Prophet Muhammad(p.b.u.h) as we regard this death more than thousands of times better than a life separated from his union.
PEACE !!!
Why do we just start commenting without knowing what actually did take place ? It is both ways I guess, the misuse of laws, I mean.
The blasphemy laws are absurd. The Muslims of Pakistan have been taken for a ride by the maulanas. The punishment of blasphemy is in the hereafter.
Why do admission forms require the religion of the applicant? Aren't we supposed to be free to go to our temples ,,,, and its has nothing to do with the business of the state?
Maybe you guys should just start making claims of blasphemy on the ones who abuse it. Two wrongs may not make a right but, it certainly feels right.
Where is Imran khan and his Inqalab? does his Inqalab say anything about religious dis-honesty? It is shame on all those who marching these days against NATO attacks but do not have courage to say a single word against killing of Ahemdis and Shia. Only a Civil war is the future of pakistan if we keep sleeping.
Where is the other side of the coin?
I am sure that USA / UK / NATO / INDIA / ISRAEL is somehow behind this
/s
The clerics who abuse Qadiani prophet on loud speakers should be prosecuted first under the same blasphemy law. Isn't that "Blasphemy"?
its just upsetting to know this is Our great country we Live in. someone please just do away with this LAW
Pathetic. My whole sympathies are with the convicted family. May Allah protect them from these cowards. Ameen
O Allah, Show us a straight path, The path of those whom thou hast favored, Not (the path) of those who earn thine anger nor of those who astray.
I say instead of these students these so called defenders of Islam who call themselves Mullahs MUST be EXPELLED from PAK......
Fact remains that blasphemy laws are a part of the statutes and they have been put there by the very people who in discussions and postings pretend to take a holier than thou stand. In reality most want it to remain because it is a powerful tool to exploit and coerce the minorities. Pakistan is well on course to become the first nation to wipe out its Religious minorities.
This is shocking. How can it be a crime to claim you're a certain religion on a piece of paper? In the first place it's ridiculous that you have to declare your religion for anything.
In a country where injustice has become a Law, and religious intolerance is seen everywhere what else do you expect??? Sadly what a shame!!
Some ignorant people have black spotted our tolerant and peaceful Islam to a cruel and brutal religion. They are not doing any deeds for Islam rather making it notorious.
These bigots, the self proclaimed muhafezeen of the the namoos of the Holy Prophet (SAW), are the deaf, dumb and blind ones with sealed hearts whom no one can guide except the Creator. May God show these evil mongers the path of tolerance and love that was walked by the Holy Prophet (SAW).
Actually it is not a story of an Ahmadi family, it is a sign of morally corrupt, ethically rotten, socially unjust, religiously ignorant, and intellectually impotent society – totally insane. The main reason is the exploitation of Islam to the maximum limits. Let’s see how long Allah Subhanatalla will see this religious corruption? May Allah, the Almighty, forgive our sins, ease our lives and guide us on the right path….
Utter shame for us Pakistanis!
Friends: This damn land of ours is going to 'deep in the hell' with all this hate, killing and bloodshed. Is there any one who can put a stop to this crazy drive of sectarianism and hate mongering? Hindu and Sikh are fleeing to India, Jews left for Israel a long time back. There were times when non-Muslim population used to be around 7-8% and today they are not more than 2-3%, now tell Ahmadis where they should go?
At what point will people realise that this is a corrupt law and it is being misused at an almost daily basis by mullahs across the land.Ahmadis could no more abuse the Holy Prophet than they could there own father.That is the ultimate stupidity of the whole situation! Laanut on the Mullah Cult and all its rabid adherents!!