As the hate campaign against the Ahmadiyya community continues in Rawalpindi, police barred Ahmadis from entering their place of worship on Friday.
The decision was taken after locals, including businessmen and Ulema, threatened to organise a large protest outside the place of worship against what they called the community’s ‘unconstitutional activities’.
Leading the protests, businessman Sharjeel Mir told The Express Tribune that three days ago residents had decided that the place of worship would now be used as a residence.
Mir added that at a meeting, attended by DCO Saqib Zafar, SP Matloob Hussain, SSP Yasin Farooq, and prominent residents, it was conveyed that a demonstration outside the place of worship will be organised if their demand is not accepted.
A senior member of the community quoted police officials as saying that the decision had been made to prevent clashes among religious groups.
The police confined members of the community inside the worship place and barred people coming from outside. The Ahmadiyya community representative further said that prayers scheduled for Friday had been hindered.
DCO Saqib Zafar said the police had provided security to the threatened community. He refused to comment when asked about the residents’ demand to convert the place of worship into a residence.
He said he was busy working on an assignment given by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and had no time to discuss the matter.
A deadline of March 1 had been set by locals and traders for the fulfilment of their demand.
Last Friday, hundreds of residents gathered outside the worship place, demanding the removal of barricades and CCTV cameras installed outside the building.
Throughout this time, the Ahmadiyya community had emphasised that they are not involved in any unlawful activities and have pleaded that the hate campaign against them be stopped.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (18)
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@Arshad: Ahmadi Muslims are true Muslims because they say they are muslims and behave like muslims. They do not call any one kafirs but believe in the verdict of the holy Prophet of Islam that any person who calls a true Muslim to be a Kafir himself becomes a kafir!
May Allah save Pakistan from Extremist Mullahs. They used to say Quaid-e-Azam "Kafir-e-Azam even they say each other as"Kafir". Ahmadi never say kafir who called himself Muslim. This is advised by our beloved prophet Muhammad (saw). We love our country Pakistan (Zindabad).
@Arshad: Even if we accept your premise that the Ahmadi literature considers the rest of the Muslim community to be kafir, at least the Ahmadis don't run around persecuting people. The problem is not with the religious texts - the problem is when innocent citizens are persecuted simply because of their faith.
@Syed Baqar Ahsan: What about Qadianis who call non ahmadi as kafir, please read Mirza Ghulam Ahmad's books and Qadiani litrature and find out that Qadianis consider rest of Muslim Community as kafir.
Those who call others Kafir he has no religion.
A Muslim is a Muslim if he says he is Muslim and behaves like one. It is matter between God and an individual. No state should be ever involved in the religious affairs of any citizen. You DO NOT need a certificate from any mullah to be a Muslim. That is and should be the law!
@ahmad "Where are custodians of the Constitution" Its obvious, is'nt it? they are busy working on assignments of the cheif minister.
Anyone professing the kalamah Shahadah is a Muslim and the Ahmadis do that. In fact it is the 'officially' Muslims who have barred them from calling the Azan wherein the Shahadah is an integral part. Now the poor community is even barred from praying NAMAZ, which is exactly the same as the Sunni Namaz. On partition of India, Ahmadis immigrated to Pakistan as Muslims but in 1974 the politicians played in hands of mullahs and declared them officially Non-Muslims. Religion is a matter of an individual's belief and "has nothing to do with the business of the State". Even if the Ahmadis are 'unofficially' Muslims, as Pakistan Citizens the state must grant them security and protection to practice their aqidah/belief freely. Leave it to the Lord to decide on the Day of Judgement.
Pakistan has no salvation until she acknowledges Ahamadis are also Muslims and Christians, Hindus, Kalash, Sikhs are also humans; and equal citizens.
This is perhaps the height of maladministration or incompetence. While I am not amused by the mob making illegal demands, giving threats and putting ultimatum to the local Administration - that has of late become its pastime -, I am surprised at the weak-knee policy of the Administration. Either, it is incompetent not knowing how to enforce law and order, or is simply working in tandem with the extremists. What would you call this state of affair - a banana republic.or a mobocracy?.May Allah help the state of Pakistan and its people.
Wake up people and seek Allah's forgiveness before you are destroyed like those rebellious nations before you!
really great saying:. “You are free; (no you are not), you are free to go to your temples (no you are not), you are free to go to your mosques (no you are not), or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan (no you are not). You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State; (your religion, your cast and creed has everything to do with the business of the state in Pakistan)” Jinah (vs) Mullahism
Police bar Ahmadis from entering place of worship Article 4 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Pakistan – No person shall be prevented from or to be hindered in doing that which is not prohibited by law. If worship of Ahmadi not prohibited by lawe then why they have been prevented from entering into place of their worship. Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan – No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with the law. Why ahmadi are deprived of their liberty. Are they not citizen of Pakistan? Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan – Every person shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by in the interest of public order. Government has authorized the persons with arms to assemble outside the place of worship of Ahmadi and stopped Ahmadi without arms to enter in to place of their worship Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan – Subject to law, public order and morality every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion. Why Ahmadis have always been stopped and we need to define public order. We must differentiate between public order and nuisance value. Article 25 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan – All citizen are equal before law and entitled to equal protection of law. Why there is discrimination against Ahmadis and why their rights are not protected by the Government. Where are custodians of the Constitution and Executives of State?
Gone are the people with vision. People are led by people with ulterior motives. You have a long way to get where everyone will be treated equal.
"You are free; (no you are not), you are free to go to your temples (no you are not), you are free to go to your mosques (no you are not), or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan (no you are not). You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State; (your religion, your cast and creed has everything to do with the business of the state in Pakistan)" Jinah (vs) Mullahism
Here is the example of total suppression of human rights in an Islamic country. This is how we as Pakistani deal with an innocent minority. This is how we as government of Pakistan are afraid of bazari mullah. This is how a mob can stop people worshipping in a garrison city. How can we expect that Muslims treated equally in western societies. This is all unidlamin, inhuman, government has lost its credibility. This is happening under direction of shahbaz sharif. The special assignment he is talking about is this to suppress the poor, innocent Ahmadiyya community. O Pakistani people, do not do such an oppression, that God who is the Lord of all the worlds become very angry at you.
Jinnah sahab must be turning in his grave.
" 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. " M.A Jinnah - 11th Aug 1947 (Constituent assembly Karachi).
Its a shame how people of Pakistan try to stop their own countrymen to practice their own religion. Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan is persecuted since long. I hope we see a Pakistan where everyone is considered equal citizen.