Leading the locals, businessman Sharjeel Mir told The Express Tribune that three days back on a consensus, it was decided to prevent any sort of worship in the centre.
Mir said that at a meeting called by the locals which was attended by DCO Saqib Zafar, Superintendent of Police Matloob Hussain, ulemas and other officials, it was decided that the worship centre will now be used only as a residence and if their demands are not met, then they will launch a protest.
The businessman also said that a congregational prayer followed by a demonstration outside the worship centre was planned in case the consensus was degraded.
Today, fearing a huge turnover at the expected protest, the police had barred Ahmadis from entering the premises.
A representative of the Ahmaddiya community told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity that the police officials present there kept telling them that the move had been made to prevent any possible scuffle as a result of the protest.
The police confined the Ahmadis present inside the worship place and barred the ones coming from outside.
The Ahmaddiya community representative further said that the prayers scheduled for today have been hindered.
A deadline of March 1 had been set by a religious group for the fulfilment of their demands by the Ahmadis.
Last Friday, around 700 locals had gathered outside the same worship centre, demanding the removal of barricades and CCTV cameras installed outside it.
Backed by a Jihadi organization, the protestors had alleged that “unconstitutional” activities were being carried out in the worship centre.
However, the community had emphasised that they had committed no unlawful activities and had pleaded that the hate campaign be stopped so they could feel safe in the area.
COMMENTS (121)
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Very sad to read this news :-( They are not even following humanity than how can they follow their own relegion. Islam is a religion of peace which is truly forgotten by these activists throughout the country. Constitution was emended only on political basis but not on religious basis. It would be good for all of us to follow the teachings for humanity at least … And act like humans.
@Munda Baloch: Munda Baloch,,,are you serious or being sarcastic????
@Liberal Islamist: Mr Liberal Islamist, An eye opener, go and read the constitution of Pakistan. No wounder the state is in such a state that people like Mr. liberal are so liberal... Bravo...
Practice is what defines any religion... and yes, peace might be an oxymoron.
Its shameful for Islam and Pakistan...
@Liberal Islamists comments "The Qadiyanis consider us non-Muslims as part of their faith! So they should be treated as non-Muslims on an equal footing and their worship restricted to inside their homes as per the constitution."
By the way what was the constitutional/consensus decision at the times of Moses/Jesus or for that matter any other prophet. So for Liberal islamists the treatment at that times by the public at large was correct.
Islam is what islam does!
@Zeta
Kashmir has had puppet so called muslim chief minister installed by occupying indian state
Well the Indian Army in Kashmir is headed by Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain. And it seems anyone who does not conform to your world view is a 'so called Muslim', including the victims of Kohistan.
That’s all you got? Two cricket players? while completely neglecting the massacre and now continuous division of society.
Actually there were 3 cricketers and 1 powerful politician, which makes it 4, which is exactly 2 times 2. And yes I did ignore 59 dead Hindus too as it happened 10 years back.
Mumbai again something which doesn’t belong to average person on street. Mumbai where the right wingers dont allow muslims to own villas, homes and doesn’t allow mixing of muslims with hindus.
You mean Shahrukh Khan was never an 'average person on the street'? He descended from Heaven a fully formed superstar with a bungalow in tow? And if Muslims and Hindus do not mix, who works for Mr Ajim Premji of WIPRO?
You (rightwing indians) are most blinded creature i’ve ever encountered more than the white nationalists
My.my, we are rather quick on labels, aren't we? I find this, coming on the heels of Kurram and Kohistan and now Islamabad, rich indeed.
I know the world does not conform to your Pakistan Study textbooks. My suggestion to you is, instead of questioning the world start questioning your Pakistan Study Textbooks.
these mullahs are the real extremists!
May Allah miraculously save this country from the ignorants (Ameen) who are making every efforts to bring His wrath on a nation established under the name of Islam and yet showing no signs of is practical implementation.
Reminds me of the days of early Islam when meccans use to stop Muslims from prayer or calling Azan.
Not that I'm justifying this (or arguing against it - I just don't know enough of the facts) - but let us be fair here and not obfuscate the reality; there seems to be a lack of acknowledgement of the fact that there is a very clear, marked difference between discriminating against a group based on their religious beliefs and discriminating against a group based on the belief that they may be conspiring against you, and it is the latter that is most likely the case here. It is naturally wrong to assume that this accusation against Ahmedis is true in all degrees simply because some may be vehemently asserting it. But to dismiss it and all those who believe it as, for some reason, completely wrong, if not mad, without even an elementary investigation into the facts and into their accusations (or even character), is naturally of equally faulty logic. In my opinion, if you really want to try to solve this problem - perhaps it would good to start with see what those with greivances against the Ahmedis are saying, and see what the Ahmedis have to say in return, and try to continue from there in trying to address this problem? Or is such a path of reason and mild-manner too much to handle for our minds today - stunted by our mindless obsequiousness to the taboos laid down by any and all forms of mass media?
I have been reading up to now that Qadianis using a house as worship place in Rawalpindi. The above picture shows that it is mosque style worship place not a residential home. Why is so much fuss. I am not Qadiani at all, but I am in favour of freedom of religious freedom. If Qadianis are praying in this house, they are not harming anyone. When we Muslims (non qadianis) moved to Britain, our early Mosques were established in houses and no Christians objected our worship places. We also bought churches and converted into Mosques. No protest were heard.
@Zeta Kashmir has had puppet so called muslim chief minister installed by occupying indian state
Well, the Indian army is headed by Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain. So,If Kashmir is full of 'so called Muslims' then what exactly is the brouhaha all about?
That’s all you got? Two cricket players?while completely neglecting the massacre and now continuous division of society.
Actually I had quoted 3 cricketers and a powerful politician too, but then perhaps Mathematics is not your favourite subject. And come to think of it I completely neglected to mention the 59 burnt Hindus too.
Mumbai where the right wingers dont allow muslims to own villas, homes and doesn’t allow mixing of muslims with hindus
Find out who owns 'Mannat', a prime Bungalow in Mumbai. And if Hindus and Muslims do not mix, who puts up the money. who directs and who buys tickets to the Khan starrers. And who works and creates wealth for Ajim Premji the wealthiest Muslim in India.
And as I said earlier, How many 'places of worship' have been closed to Muslims and how many are made to sign statements declaring their religion to be false? Think it over.
-Kashmir has had puppet so called muslim chief minister installed by occupying indian state who has no support from Kashmiri muslims.
-That's all you got? Two cricket players? while completely neglecting the massacre and now continuous division of society. take a look at this link http://tiny.cc/h7fqp
-Mumbai again something which doesn't belong to average person on street. Mumbai where the right wingers dont allow muslims to own villas, homes and doesn't allow mixing of muslims with hindus. forcefully evict those who had homes calling them with slang "muzzies" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54RzGfxRiOE&feature=related
You (rightwing indians) are most blinded creature i've ever encountered more than the white nationalists
Pakistan is being ruined from within. We do not need any outside aggression to destroy us.pakistan is doomed .now no one can save it.
This is against the fundamental human rights granted to each person by the International laws. What a shame!
This is our ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN which was meant for a free country for every religion.
You know I was in Bangkok, Thailand where the local papers were full of stories of Pakistani Ahmadis entering the country as refugees. What a shame for us losers of a country that is so intolerant. I'm so ashamed.
@Zeta
Kashmir, Gujarat and Mumbai are very good examples of how india treats its muslims.
Well let me see,
A. Kashmir has had Muslim Chief Ministers all the time. And now the valley has been cleaned of the Kashmiri Pandits.
B. Gujarat boasts of Irfan and Yusuf Pathan and Munaf Patel of Indian Cricket and Ahmad Patel to Indian National Congress.
C. Mumbai has the Khans ruling Bollywood and had Abdul Rehman Antulay as a Chief Minister.
Yes, Muslims are doing rather well in all the three places, thank you.
And what is more, no one has decided that Muslims will not be allowed to enter their 'places of worship' like the Ahmadis, if that is what you have been looking for.
This is not on. You just can not let this happen. Where is the State, where are the champions of 'human rights' ? Where is the Supreme Court's activism? What is going on? For God sake, people come forwrad and support your fellow citizens, this is outright cruelty, we must not tolerate it, please!
Stop this discrimination!
@Zeta:
caste system is pathetic and despicable. there can't be any defence to it.
but what about your muslim society, don't you yourself treat your minorities just like lower castes not worthy of interaction.
and perhaps you live outside the subcontinent, because here muslims(yes in pakistan too) are as proud of being a sheikh or sayyid as brahmins were of their caste.
Kashmir, Gujarat and Mumbai are very good examples of how india treats its muslims.
from kashmir some 200,000 hindus were kicked out. so the backlash was expected, and was the first time that muslims were answered in the language they best understand: violence.
in gujarat they burned down 58 innocent hindus, so the backlash.
in mumbai coordinated attacks killed more than 200 people, again the backlash.
and mind it the backlash of a disproportionate majority will always be disproportionate
if u live like a model minority, we are ready to emulate you and will be proud in doing so. infact my ideal is no other than DR APJ ABDUL KALAM, and contemporary india has hardly anyone of his calibre and appeal.
but if you try to sell the country to dogs i'm sorry you are better off not to live in our country.
let me tell u that hindus are not going to start anything like this but if u expect that muslims be given the right to kill with impunity, while hindus just wait for their turn to be slaughtered, then you are born late by about 300-400 years
@Liberal Islamist: From your statement, I see you dont understand both the meanings of liberal and Islam. Dont make judgements on the basis of what the Mulllas have told you. They lie and spread hatred as you can see in this example. In order to see whether the Massiah of Ahmadis is true or not. pray sincerely Surah Fatihah for 40 days and God will show you a sign.
@Vishnu D Dutta: Kashmir, Gujarat and Mumbai are very good examples of how india treats its muslims.
@Nirmit: Says someone whose society thrives on pathetic caste system and subjugation of minority. Watch your own house before talking about neighbors. typical indians
@Liberal Islamist
their worship restricted to inside their homes as per the constitution.
And this is what the Constitution of Pakistan says,
20 (b) Every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.
Care to tell us which Constitution you are talking about.
What if this happens with Muslims in America or any non-Muslim country?
where is good governance? where is qaid-e-Azam's 11 august speech? Where is OUR CJ? Where is rule of law? Does Ahmadies have any right in this country? If the Government can not protect their rights than the Legislature should pass a law for expelling Ahmadies from the Country.
@Truth Seeker who writes "So in the 15th century, Sikhism was born out of Hindus being persecuted by Muslim rulers. Wow, what a thought provoking proposition."
I think you need to do a little bit of what your name suggests before you perish.
Read my comments. There are no propositions. You need to learn to read first, then you can write!
@abbas:
CJ is busy protecting us from 'secularism'. Chances are he couldn't care less about non-Sunni Pakistanis due to inherent prejudice, let alone non-Muslim minorities. He probably thinks Jihadi organizations are patriots.
@Lateralview: What happened to Quiad-e- Azam’s Pakistan
It died with him! Even the Quiads Christian or Zoroastrian daughter (not sure whats her faith but pretty sure she doesnt believe in Islam) would be persecuted in this Sunni Republic! Given the problems Shia's are facing in Pakistan I think there should be another partition so there is one nation for Sunnis and one for Shia's! You Ahmadis are lucky just flee to any Western country they treat you like VIP's anyways.
@Munda Baloch: Says you and only you. The evidence is otherwise not only in Pakistan but all over the world where Muslims live. Shameful behaviour.
What if this had happen with Muslims in USA or in india. This is discusting and shameful act. We need to learn islam and stop following these Mullahs mis leading nation. I feel soory for ahmediya community.
I wish ,i pray and i hope we can take off our sect glasses of our eyes and think like Muslim. And being regular non denomination muslim i would praise Ahmediyaa community for their patience over this issue and patience showed by them after brutal killings in July 2010
I honestly wish after reading this that all of our worship places in every single country where we are minorities be closed. All the mullahs are forces to shave their beards and their family members be stripped off their burqas and all non Muslims should boycott our businesses like restaurant, cabs, small stores etc...only that is when we will realized how these poor Ahmadis must be feeling now. Imagine the dent we are putting to their self-respect, imagine the kids when they grow up with these feelings...imagine the elders who have spend their entire life serving the country are now forces to stay home by people half their age. As per my blind faith in all mighty...the tables will turn..one day these people will be in power and they will level the score..history is a witness to this..happend in Europe against mighty royals, happened in India again mighty mugals..
@Junaid Naseer Faroqui: bro this act is wrong but according to my knowledge and investigation they cant be a sect of Islam they are an other religion. but i completely against the baring any minority from there place of worship
Shame, but no shame to Rulers, Law enforcement agencies, Judiciary, and pundits of media networks who are the running the country.
@Liberal Islamist: "So they should be treated as non-Muslims on an equal footing and their worship restricted to inside their homes as per the constitution. "
Where does the constitution say that non-MUslims should restrict their worship to inside their homes?
ahmadiyya masjids peace peace peace ..love for all hatred for none ..no other cmment ...sheam pakistani govt
wow.. this is the condition of the nation made for minorities.
muslims in india have more rights than muslims in pakistan. there goes the two nation theory.
Two nation theory in action
Disgusting that the police, who are meant to protect innocents, instead participated in barring the Ahmadis from exercising their right to worship. The DCO Superintendant should be punished for aiding and abetting Sharjeel Mir and his criminal accomplices. The latter, of course, should be locked up in jail for a few years to reflect on their bigotry and hatred.
@Adeel Ahmed: yeah. Communism is a beautiful concept too. But these "beautiful" concepts turn pretty ugly when it meets the reality of human condition.
@Jat No wonder you are confused, even I am confused and saddened.This not the Islam our forefathers accepted.
What happened to Quiad-e- Azam's Pakistan!
Imagine the hullabaloo if Non-Muslims countries barred Muslims from going to their places of worship. If Pakistan was created for the so-called Muslims , may be the Pakistanis Muslims should make room for all the Muslims from India and swap them for the so called Minorities.
Stopping worship of the All Mighty is highly regretful. Maybe the businessman Sharjeel Mir is of the view that Allah will accept the prayers of Ahmadies.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said; "The state can survive with kufr inside it but it cannot survive with oppression inside it"
Very sad news indeed.
Make a country for muslims and this is what they do.
This is all the Zionist CIA, FBI, RAW, MI5, US, India, Israel and all enemies of Pakistan doing this to give Muslims a bad name, to give Pakistan a bad name, we are innocent people. This is a conspiracy, Taliban are good people, Jundulah is good, Al-Qaeda is good, Haifz Saeed should be given the Noble peace award. we Pakistanis don't do anything, we are being victimized. Conspiracy, conspiracy, conspiracy......... (typical Pakistani response to anything and I am sick of it, tells me there is nothing that is going to change in Pakistan).
can we ask the government on what basis it has barred ahmadies from worshipping in their own worship place?now it would be decided by extremists that he could be worship in his home and could not.is this the attitude of state to its citizens?Is this is the result of Quaid's August,11 speech?how govt will assure to international community that minorities are safe in its home land?shame on you so called state and government!would you please mention which clause of constitution did we breach?any body will take notice of it?an open question to all the citizens of Pakistan.
What really intrigues me is that some of the comments from our "Extremely TRUE MUSLIMS" seem to attack ET (as if they have a hidden agenda)... ET is just highlighting the ills of our society which other newspapers are shying away from...Hats off to ET!!!
@unbeliever
I said muslim rulers like Tipu Sultan and they ruled all over this period.
A day of shame for Pakistan.
@Mr. Righty rightist: well, there's a typo it should be from 1780 to early 1800s, if you are talking about tipu sultan.
Shameful! And what is worse is people calling themselves 'Liberal Islamists' support this.
@Khurshid who writes "The Muslims ruled India for centuries. Were Hindus not allowed to practice their religion freely (for the most part)?"
The answer is NO. Hinus were persecuted by Muslim rulers for the most part.
In fact later on, even Sikhs were persecuted along with Jains, Zorastrians, Jews (small community) and Buddhists.
In fact later in the 1800s and early 1900s, muslim rulers like Tipu Sultan even persecuted Christians.
So, to answer your question effectively - NO.
@ Sajjad Ashraf - Brother...You were badly mistaken...
I thought there was a semblence of civility and reasonableness left in this country. I am mistaken...
Truly amazing (read saddened) to see how bigoted and intolerant our society has become (thanks to the Mullahs)...
May Allah guide us in becomming a tolerant society... We have simply become medieval!!!
@Liberal Islamist:
What is liberal about your views? They are Islamists not liberal views. Why bring liberalism down like this?
I as an Indian, am totally confused. Should I feel happy or should I feel utmost sadness at what the Pakistanis are doing to themselves.
Everyone who contribute in this shameful act of stopping ahmadis to enter in worship place done the same as the non belivers(mushrik) done with the muslims of the era of holy prophet (pbuh).
This is simply unacceptable! I denounce and condemn this act... I even go further to challenge constitutional amendment that declared Ahamadies as non-muslims. They are just a sect and as good (OR as bad) as any other Muslim sects in the country...
This is insane and police should be brought to justice along with the key people who moved this resolution in Rawalpindi...
very sad ! we must stand against this thinking of self righteousness. who have given the right to locals to do this? is there any law?
@Gen Pasha Retd: brother, the job of judiciary is not to poke it's nose into every matter. afterall, the army and bureaucracy are already being paid handsomely for this task, then why such indifference on their part.
or do you seriously think that a suo moto would help in this matter.
it's about ideology, and sadly enough the supreme court in itself is no different from ordinary pakistani in this regard.
@Adeel Ahmed: ask the victims of 9/11 or 26/11 and various other such incidents, they will amply describe you the beauty of this concept.
So sad. Pakistan has no hope.
@ liberal Islamist, 1st of all, Qadianies are those people who live in Qadian, a small town in India, you may call community under discussion here 'Ahmadis. Secondly, Ahmadis don't believe any other Muslims as 'NON-MUSLIMS' because they think that no one can decide others' faith.
No one will take Sue Motu Notice of this brutality in the name of Islam?
@Liberal Islamist. "The Qadiyanis consider us non-Muslims as part of their faith! So they should be treated as non-Muslims on an equal footing and their worship restricted to inside their homes as per the constitution." I do not know if Ahmadis consider us non-Muslims, but your logic is very strange. your opinion is consistent neither with Islamic laws nor with modern day human and basic rights.The Muslims ruled India for centuries. Were Hindus not allowed to practice their religion freely (for the most part)? It is probably too much to expect from some people to appreciate that in this country the Constitution guarantees equal religious rights to all religions. The demand to confine Ahmadis to worship at home is demeaning not only for them but for all of us Pakistanis, as it is naked bigotry.
It is indeed unfortunate that the local police supporting these jihadis prevented the hapless worshippers from praying inside their place of worship. Such an illegal and senseless action by the law enforcing agency would now open flood gates and encourage these elements to forcibly close all places of worship belonging to Ahmadiya community throughout the country.
Just a question. Following the same logic on which Pakistan was created, then do these minorities have a valid point in asking for a separate homeland within Pakistan?
We Pakistanis or shall I say MUSLIMS are such hypocrites, Imagine if it was the UK govt stopping Pakistanis or Muslims from entering mosques, people would go crazy and would probably use violence or attacks as the last resort. irrationality prevails.
How one treats their minorities says a lot about the majority. Shame on you - the police are suppose to protect the rights of everyone.
@Liberal Islamist:
So according to you, the Christians and the Hindus should also be barred from going to their places of worship? What are you implying here?
Can anyone tell me that how can we complain when Hindus, Christians and Jews stop us from practicing our religion on similar kind of ‘public’ demand? Can you imagine the consequences of a “religious” society where performing “religious” obligations and remembrance of Allah Subhanatalla become crime? It’s simply a naked and ugly face of fascism, repression and discrimination. Let me remind the fair-minded Pakistanis, if not stopped, this dreadful practice will not stop with Ahmadis, “you” will be next target.
why ET is giving this stupid thing this much coverage?
"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State." - Jinnah**
**subject to creative interpretation by Islamic extremists who opposed the Pakistan movement, detested Jinnah, and now take the same liberty in creatively interpreting and applying the constitution.
ET - please define what you mean by "LOCALS". Either you are naive or you don't know that such so called locals are brought from far away villages
sick. completely sick. how on earth can you control someone's right to worship. i wish someone would stop the police from spending a night in their homes, and then see how it feels. sickos.
Even after so much has happend to this nation, we are unable to understand what is right and what is wrong. What if other nations put ban on Muslims to pray in their country? We belong to most tolerant religion and with this behavior we claim that we are most correct muslims. May Allah guid us to right path.
we are living in dark ages where Mullah rules.....and when Mullah rules humanity suffer....this is what is happening in Pakistan.... shameful and sad.....
Lets remove the Objective Resolution as the 21st amendment
I wonder if the police of Rawalpindi can stop the faithful from any other Jamia Masjid in town. this is called Opression against minorities. This is the job of the government where they are failing. I wonder if this is the place to raise my children and teach them toleration and all other good teachings of Islam. Islam never stopped anyone to practice their religion. Ahmadis are our Pakistani brothers and sisters and even more Pakistani than the ones closing the doors of their places of worship as they are still living here under threats to their lives and properties and still excell in most of the fields.
And what of the protests fueled by hate speech, trying to instigate violence that progress into destruction of property and lives? Don't pretty it up. This is just one more act of discrimination, even if it can be twisted into sounding politically correct. Name a single "accepted Muslim" place of worship fell victim to such a scenario.
Hey Mr CJ - come out of your hole and do something
Also how about a suo mouto on this Mr. CJ? See if you have the courage to take on so called Jihadis of this country.
What a joke - my father fought for this country as did my brother in law. Thank God they emigrated and I was born outside of the land of the pure - Pakistan has become a land where mob rule no matter how ridiclous dictates the law.
Islam is a religion of Peace!!!
No Suo Moto?
the prayer and religion at the centre stage once again....in a country which is at the rock bottom on all human living standards......what a pity
So by Stopping people to worship the Police has done exactly what the lunatics wanted. Does no one think these things through ? Absolutely ridiculous.
Pakistan is destined to doom, thanks to these Jihadis.
The Police & DCO are equally responsible, but you won't see a suo moto on this violation on basic human rights. Iftikhar Chaudhry! are you listening?
It should not have happened.
Constitution of Pakistan : 20 (b) Every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.
When will Pakistanis decide to stop hating others amongst them. Do we really have to have a state with only Muslims living in it? Even if that is somehow achieved, what about other divisions - Shia's, sunnis (barelvi, deobandi's)? Where are we going with this? All the fingers are not the same size... May Allah guide us all to live with open hearts.
What does you mean by a Jihadi organisation? Jihad is a beautiful concept. Don't degrade it.
" Backed by a Jihadi organization, the protestors had alleged that “unconstitutional” activities were being carried out in the worship centre. "
Why only allege? If there are 'unconstitutional' activities report it to the police and the law of the land will take care of it.
Religious doctrinal differences never lead to violence, a combination of ignorance, arrogance and sheer intolerance; leads to violent behaviour and demonstrations.
and then we wonders why everyone hates us as a Muslim...
shame on every person involve in this....Islam gives every right to a person to perform his religion on equal basis...
The Qadiyanis consider us non-Muslims as part of their faith! So they should be treated as non-Muslims on an equal footing and their worship restricted to inside their homes as per the constitution.
This Sharjeel Mir should be imprisoned for life for terrorizing the minorities, who are already on the brink.
Glad the matter has been resolved peacefully and by consensus.
Pakistani sunni muslims are very tolerant people.:)
What a shame. People of other creeds barred from worship. Where are the comments from the web warriors who pounce on every news item? They are silent because they are afraid.
"Backed by a Jihadi organization, the protestors had alleged that “unconstitutional” activities were being carried out in the worship centre."
Bravo ET..
What a pathetic country.
Kudos to living in a land where people are discriminated against on the basis of religion. We are a despicable lot indeed.
Sad and no comments.