LAHORE:
Clerics in Sultanpura who complained that an Ahmedi place of worship looked too much like a mosque are unsatisfied with changes made to the building’s facade and are demanding that the building’s dome be demolished, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The administration of Baitul Hamd, the worship place, covered the chhatri (flattened dome) at the entrance by installing a hoarding in front of it on May 4. A day earlier, Misri Shah police had removed some tiles with the Kalma and Quranic verses from the building entrance.
They had done so after Rana Muhammad Tufail, a cleric, and Advocate M Badar Alim Sheikh filed an application with the police complaining that the worship place looked too much like a mosque. They had sought a case against the Ahmedis under Sections 295-B and 298-C, which were made part of the Pakistan Penal Code via the ‘Anti-lslamic Activities of Qadiani Group, Lahori Group and Ahmedis (Prohibition and Punishment) Ordinance’ of 1984.
A local Ahmedi said on the condition of anonymity that Tufail and Sheikh had sent messages via other people to the place of worship warning that they were unsatisfied with the changes and the chhatri of the building must be demolished, failing which they would make it impossible for them to live in the area.
Tufail said that under the law, Ahmedis were non-Muslims. “We will not let them make their worship place like a mosque. They are misleading Muslims. We have told the police to stop them, otherwise we will organise protests and they will be responsible for any untoward incident,” he said.
Sheikh accused the Ahmedi community of taking the law into their hands and “posing as Muslims”. He said the Constitution of Pakistan had declared them non-Muslims. He said that they would pursue legal action against the Ahmedi community “to make them mend their ways”.
Fazal Ahmed, a member of the Baitul Hamd administration committee, said that they had tried their best to make the place look less offensive to the complainants, but they were still not satisfied. He said the place of worship had been around since before Partition. Another Ahmedi said it had been around since 1960.
He said the police had told them that they had done 75 per cent of the job, and needed to finish the rest by demolishing the dome. He said no cleric had asked them to do so directly, but the police were pressing them. He said that they would not demolish the dome themselves. “Let the police or the clerics do it if they want,” he said.
Muhammad Riaz, the investigation officer in the matter, said that the police were trying to resolve the matter amicably.
According to 295-B of the Pakistan Penal Code, “whoever wilfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Quran or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.”
According to 298-C, “any person of the Qadiani Group or the Lahori Group (who call themselves ‘Ahmedis’ or by any other name), who directly or indirectly, poses as a Muslim, or calls, or refers to, his faith as Islam, or preaches or propagates his faith, or invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (90)
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@nadia siddiqua: *
really?
*
@IB: "May Allah guide all Qadianis to the right path"
Alhmdolillah we are on the right path, BTW. who are you, or for that mater any human being to decide what is a person's religion or his/her inner faith is? its for Allah All Mighty to decide... have you or others like you have looked inside our heart as to what we believe in !!!!!!!@ABC: "Fazal Ahmed saab ! I’m no police or cleric but can i be lucky enough to earn the reward of bringing that absurd imitation down ?? plz plz plz"
ABC if you are able to bear the wrath of Allah by demolishing the dome from his place of worship and have the courage to answer Allah All Mighty on the day of judgement... than do so
such a shameful act of mullas who thinks they are the law bearers of islam the man who was the true law bearer S.A.A.S never did anything like this he S.A.A.W even opened his mosques to the christians and jews then why not to the muslims????
@Muzaffar Ahmad:
You forgot the historic Mughal Buildings like Shahi Qila, SaraiKhana, many old Mazar of Mughal & non-Mughal Kings & Queens plus many Hindu temple that also look like they have "Mehrab", "Gumbad", Minar and "Jharookey" like Old Masajid. At the same time Shah Faisal mosque of Islamabad and other in modern Pak cities don't copy Old Style Mosques.I guess this is the right time Ahmadis should take one of those modern Turkish, Afrikan, Chinese, or City Style building that won't offend the laymen who only knows Islam from it's symbolic characteristics. I bet if there were Mandirs in the neighborhood such people would go in there for Namaz too. Anyway, our Khateeb here don't want to work a little hard to explain the villagers as Islam says: The true House Of God is the heart. We know that it don't resemble anything like Kaaba or Masjid. But he has learn that himself first.
@aftab ahmed wazir:
Of course Muslims have respect for other religions. It was out of this sheer respect that the destruction of Buddha statues Afghanistan was cherished widely in Pakistan or that we named our misses after mahmood ghaznavi a person who looted and destroyed temples for sheer monetary gains.
Shame on you pakistani muslims who are destroying of Allah ,s House in their ignorance and rebellion of Ahmadiyyat.Which Islam are you practising to declare someone non muslim and destroy their mosques?Who are you to decide for someone that he/she is believer or non believer?But thanks for this misbehaving towards ahmadi muslims because your stupid deeds and actions are increasing Ahmadies in more strong faith on Allah and we are now more ready to secrifice our life,property and kids in the name of Allah and for islam.You can do what ever you want but you will never be able to stop us to believe on Allah and practising true islam which was revived by the Promissed Missiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian(1835-1908).You are calling Allah,s punishment by these actions because you are taking Allah,s dicision in your hand to declare someone non muslim.because only Allah knows who is right and who is wrong and He is showing to world who is right through His Help.How much you should inteligent to comprehend that earth quicks and floods are happening in pakistan because you are good muslims?no they are happening because your deeds are calling these desasters like in the time of Hazrat Noah(AH) and Hazrat Lut(AH) their nations had been captured by these desasters because of their deeds.so wake up before that you will destroy complete from Allah,s punishment.
@Tauseef Khan:
Muslim means a man having belief on One and Only God, Allah, Mohammad SAWW is the last prophet and the belief on Hereafter. You got it. No connection with any other belief. No place for any false prophet after the Last Prophet.
O Mullah! In Pakistan you have made it a law that any Ahmadi that acts as a Muslim will be jailed for three years. Tell me, what does it mean to be a Muslim? Isn’t being a Muslim the same as doing good e.g. telling the truth, declaring oneness of God, sending greetings of peace, helping others, being at peace with other fellow beings, not taking or receiving bribes etc. This is the first time in the long history of the world that goodness has been made punishable.
Why Ahmedis try to act & behave like Muslims? If you cannot follow the law of the land, you can as well leave the country!
Ahmedis are non muslims and that's all.
Please visit the link www.alislam.org and learn about true Ahmadiyyat (Isalm). Do not blindly follow the mullahs.
Shame on all those mullahs who are defaming our beloved country by their non sence acts. Pakistan needs to be a tolerant society where every one can practice his/her beleives according to their own beleives. This was the vision of Quaid i Azam. Mullaiat is a curse for our society. Plz remove this curse
@IB: What about 72 sects of muslims
@Wateva: The law is also man made
@ABC: Very Sad of you. Thats why Talibans are also bringing down the mazars of saints
@Umer: Its not the Sharia but the wrong interpretation of true Islamic System. The True Islamic System give more rights to minorities.
@Domlurian: Yes.. lessons about caste system and how to treat shudras. When are you starting the next semester on how to treat untouchables?
Calling human a dog may be possible, but telling him to act and live like a dog and to eat and breathe like a dog can never bear fruit..Obviously he's a human and can't transform into a dog...
Similarly you have decided to call Ahmadi muslims as Kafir.. Fine you can call us whatever you want but asking us to act like muslims and live like non-muslims will never bring out any result because We will never stop taking Allah's name and neither would be stop asking for his guidance So asking us to live like non-muslims aren't gonna ever work..
If you're really into law and dream about enforcing it then I'm afraid you've got to bring down the head of every possible living Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan in pursuit of making us behave like non muslims! =)
It is quite shameful to see that even the legislation of this country incites intolerance and hatred. No one has the right to copyright the symbols of religion, be it a dome or minarets or anything. Religion is about faith and not specific architectures. People who believe that a dome at a non muslim place of worship would create an effect on religion should broaden their vision. As muslims we should not forget that Prophet Muhammed SAW even let non muslims pray in mosques. I would urge people to follow such examples rather than listening to the psuedo intellectuals in your local mosques who are doing their DUKAANDAARI in the name of tableegh. Respect!
For ALL of those who are QADIANI / AHMADI HATERS and do not consider them Muslims.
Who cares if you consider them Muslims or not? Who care what constitution says, after all Gen. Zia and others who always practice "Islam" never followed the constitution which they took oath of. So what if in the constitution Zia added restrictions on them? He was not a prophet or practised Islam.
Why are you all intolerant people wants tolerant and true Muslims such as Ahmadi-Muslims to denounce their religion Islam?
Who has given OOluma's authority or a political entity to declare some Muslims and other non-Muslims?
When Holy Prophet SAW has not done it Who are you to force upon others?
I think let us all file the case against Non-Ahmadis under 295-B, 295-C that they are portraying themselves Muslims!!! In fact because of your stupid teachings Islam is getting bad name worldwide.
Only Ahmadi Muslims are the ones who are washing your filth which you did on Islam, by spreading true teachings of Islam of love and tolerance worldwide with Ahmadis now surpassing Shias as a second largest Muslim sect. Insha'Allah they will soon be the only Muslims left on the face of the earth.
@Ali: No, this is not law, this is plain bigotry-----this law must be repealed and struck down now, henceforth.
This just makes me extremely sad.. My beautiful country, my beloved homeland is going in the hands of these illiterate mullahs.
To the best of my knowledge domes do not make mosques...
@Good Muslim, Sir, can you please enlighten me on the attributes of a "good muslim"?
@Junoon,
"Qadianis will never be allowed to make their places look like masjid. They are non-muslim by consitution. They are not allowed to have any similiarity to muslims. Muslims do not need any lessons from non-muslims especially when it comes to the basic creed of Islam. They must remove any similarity as such immediately and the law must bring the culprits to justice."
Pretty soon you will have to take lessons from non-muslims on how to be a proper Human. But those lessons are going to be very hard - so brace yourself.
According to 298-C, “any person of the Qadiani Group or the Lahori Group (who call themselves ‘Ahmedis’ or by any other name), who directly or indirectly, poses as a Muslim, or calls, or refers to, his faith as Islam, or preaches or propagates his faith, or invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.”
Looks a copy of some Nazi laws against Jews in Germany of the 1930's.
Religion Card is been used just to divert the attention from NATO supply. This state is getting weak day by day. I love PAKISTAN. my flag's white part represents religious tolerance.. and we are open hearted. WE love humans, taking other life is GOD'S matter not ours. Live and let live. PEACE, PEACE PEACE.
Ahmadis consider themselves to be Muslims and no amount of legislation can change this. Worldly legislation and rules do not work on the conscience of man. Persuasion, reason and tolerance work in these affairs.
I JUST want to remind the extremists and those who only love hatred that when Pharoah went extreme in persecuting the Israelites and further chased them to sea it was Pharoah himself who was downed in the sea. So such people are in dire need of learning the lesson as occasionally described in Holy Quran.
Ahmadis are Muslims.
Ahmadis are Muslims.
Ahmadis are Muslims.
Ahmadis are Muslims.
Ahmadis are Muslims.
Anybody who says otherwise is a bigot.
Shameful! There is no compulsion in religion.
One of the perceived problems with Islam these days is the belief by many that it's an intolerant religion and if Muslims had sufficient power they would impose their beliefs on the World. Whether its banning facebook, twitter, internet, books or sentencing people to death for alleged blasphemy Pakistan seems to have become the poster child for intolerance and extremism.
Shameful that this can happen in a country that was founded by Jinnah
This is the same thinking which has taken lives of 40,000 Pakistanis mostly in mosques. who have even supported views of killers. This is the same thinking which take the live of Hazrat Usman in his home while he was reciting Quran. This is the same behavior which killed the Hazrat Ali while he was praying in mosque. This the same believes on which basis one dared to object on the justice of Muhammad(Peace be upon him) while he was giving to the needy in a mosque. See the Adhiat of Muhammad(Peace be upon him) on the incident in Bukhari(Volume 9, Book 84, Number 67: Sahih Bukhari).
These believes of killing in mosques during prayers or destroying mosques are not new and very well classified by Muhammad(Peace be upon him) and his Khalifs.
Incidents like these show why Sharia based systems won’t work for a country. Those in favour of sharia rule should now come forward and explain how Sharia is good for humanity.
The problem is the law. It is wrong that legislation defines who is belonging to a certain religion or what kind of temples/buildings they are allowed to build. If the Ahmedis consider themselves to be muslims that is their view and they should have the right to do that. I was sad and chocked (and hoping this is not true) when I read this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fromourown_correspondent/8744092.stm "When a Pakistani Muslim applies for a passport or national ID card, they are asked to sign an oath that no Muslim anywhere in the world is asked to sign. The oath goes like this: "I consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad an impostor prophet. And also consider his followers, whether belonging to the Lahori or Qadiani group, to be non-Muslims."
Freedom of religion is one of the basic human rights ...
As a sunni muslim I feel Ahmedis are following Islam better than Wahabbi muslims when it comss to tolerance.
@Ali:
Oppression is oppression weather through apartheid laws or by target killings. Next time don’t complain on target killing of your own group too, as no one is listening.
We Ahmedis have no choice but to love other muslims all the more. This is is our religion.
@Ali: Nice. As long as it's the law it's all good. Just like blacks should have just accepted apartheid. No reason for anyone to rebel or speak up for any cause, as long as it's the law. Great logic, wah wah.
so what are they trying to say & Do . Are only muslims allowed to have their religious places here in Pakistan ? so where are all the Non muslims going to go ? so it this Country saying that non muslims or any other different to Islam are suppose to leave this country bcoz only Muslims are allowed to pray here & only Muslims allowed to have place of worship ? then fine let them go back to their respected countris & bring BACK all Pakistani Muslims BACK to Pakistan as what goes around will come around
People supporting these wahhabis donot no the problems they are getting pakistan into. who has been to saudi will know. these mullas in madarasas r molesfing young boys which is leading them to violent future and destroying the peace of the community.
I sincerely appreciate ET for providing space for all views and angles. This article is very thought provoking and so are some comments. Heterodoxy and tolerance are the key words of peace.
Anti Ahmadi law have been created by Pakistan under the Saudi Arabia influence.
Shame for Pakistani society...........I feel sorry for all my brothers who follow other religion
Will it be wrong for Ahmedis to take up arms to protect against wahhabis?
no one should have a right to discriminate others based on different religious practices. in fact those who make anti propoganda against others and destroy their property, they must be severly punished.
@Muzaffar Ahmad:
Very well said Muzaffar Ahmad. I am not an Ahmadi but fully support you and agree with your argument. You should speak up. Actually, problem is not the Ahmadis but hardliners of other sectcs in Pakistan, whatever sect they are from. In my opinion, religion is a personal subject and it should remain so, and it should not enter the the matters of state. We have seen how people use religion (esp, Islam for political gains).
We said and keep it up.
@Junoon: I think these fanatics & extremists have only one profession - Looking for issue & ways to spread hatred & violence within a peaceful society. They instead cause bad name to their own religion. I am thankful to ET that they allow liberal views to condemn such acts by extremists.
My God how fanatic these estremists are. If some one is following your religion, this is positave that Islam is so nice that other people also want to follow. Let them follow. In this busy world , I dont know how they can spare time to even think all this.
This is not about religion. It's about rights. The Ahmedis currently have none...even the right to live is granted to them grudgingly by the 'true Muslims' of Pakistan. Please wake up...and end the hatred before it's too late!
I fully support demolishing the dome. Ahmedis are fully aware of the law as well as of Muslims' objections to Ahmedi's pretending to be Muslims. If Ahmedis continue to deliberately mislead others, then they have none but themselves to blame.
Umm its a requirement by law that their worship places cannot resemble a mosque. Why such a hue and cry, when legally and religiously they do not qualify as muslims? The criticism only targets non-qadianis without admitting that Qadianis themselves consider all those who do not follow their qadiani religion and its founder to be Kafirs. It's a man made religion and they should stop trying to pass themselves off as Muslims. All Islamic sects - Shia, Sunni etc do not consider them to be muslims.
The architecture of mosque was not revealed in Quran. Everyone can create a building that resembles a mosque. And every person has the right to adopt his own set of beliefs whether they resemble any other religion or not. You cannot copyright your religion and prevent others from adopting its features
@Junoon: you exactly portray yourself as your name, as per your saying if our mosques are being banned in Europe and we are not allowed to practice our religious values there, then its all right because they are Christian countries and they have the right to stop any body from practising their religion as we have the right to stop here.
It's the law of the land.... respect it
Soon we are going see a complain that this person looks like a Muslim and ask the police to do something These are the people refered in Quraan as KHATAMALLAHO ALA QLOOBEHIMAs in past come to India and live with other Qadianis in peace.
@daniyal:
No, they must not leave Pakistan, we all must stay with them and support and protect them. Pakistan is home for us all and it is right of every Pakistani to be here when s/he so desires. Home is a place, one does not need permission or reasons to live into and come to, it is yours and must remain so.
By doing such things do they think they have overcome alll the devastating and crucial problems they are facing as a nation? Despite the magnitude of troubles and mess they are already in, they proudly represent "Islamic" republic of pakistan, no doubt, the only 'thekedaars' of islam. Its a big shame. True Islam preaches tolerance. What sort of islam is this? Allah have Mercy. Such acts are inviting Allah's curse.
Muslim posers... That's new.
ET, hats off to you for writing on a topic which is always taken taboo in our society. Well, if we will not speak for our weak and minority country men then some body else from outside will get a chance to interfere in our internal matters and then we will be offended. I think the Punjab government is severely under pressure from right wing, otherwise as per Qauid's farman " Every body is free to practice his religion" Punjab;s Law Minister might not have heard qauid's speech on the topic other wise he would have reconsidered the pressure emanating from those wHo were against the creation of Pakistan. I think this will create more problems for our muslim brothers abroad, already France is banning hijab, Switzerland is banning minerates and it will keep on increasing if we will not stop curbing the religious freedom of our countrymen. Why i am saying Punjab Government is because allegedly UNIFORMED POLICEMEN performed this heinous task of removing Kalima Tayyba from the wall. May God help us if our governments are breaking the internal bonds of the country.
Qadianis will never be allowed to make their places look like masjid. They are non-muslim by consitution. They are not allowed to have any similiarity to muslims. Muslims do not need any lessons from non-muslims especially when it comes to the basic creed of Islam. They must remove any similarity as such immediately and the law must bring the culprits to justice.
This is also by Quran. Surat Tawba (17 & 18) It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to infidelity. The works of such bear no fruit: In Fire shall they dwell. The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance.
This is NOT right. People, all people, must unite and unitedly reject this abhorable desire of a few who tend to monopolise our religion and its injunctions. Do it NOW before it is too late and they enter your lives and start directing it as well.
@Zamir Malik:
well, he was joking, and you couldn't understand him. because the ground realities show something else.
May Allah guide all Qadianis to the right path.
@Muzaffar Ahmad:
Fortunately Islam is free from VERSIONS. You are invited to follow the right path of RASALAT of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and get independence of this mockery.
-With love and peace.
People are always talking about versions of islam, What is Ahmedi Version ? How does it differ from others version ? If it is really different, then why are disguising other people that they there version is similar to others.
Ahmadis are not muslims and they should accept it.Muslims have respect for all religions whether it is hinduism,christianity,jews but ahmadis have no religion but they are just a group of insane people who have mended a beautifull religion islam according to their own ways on the instructions of CIA N Mosad in order to weaken islam and ghulam ahmed qaidani was on the payroll of british majesty at that time and was the biggest liar of the whole world.
@ muzaffar: Such a nice speech. but i beg your pardon, please correct yourself. Ahmadi or Qadianiat is not a version of Islam. Don't try to mingle them up.
What a SHAME my dear pakistan. Ahmadis fought for you, served you in politics and science; this is the reward of all this patriotism? As commented earlier, i wonder what's next? Are you all so heartless that you felt no pain when Allah's holy names and Kalima was brutally removed from this mosque?
It is saddening that no political party, not even one, can dare to speak for Ahmadis who are persecuted by the State under infamous Ordinance XX by Zia. Is there ANYONE who cares or dares to speak for equal human rights in this Land of Pure? Little hope is left.
@athar mahmood: Who are you to give such a statement? Do you have enough knowledge of Islam that you come here in support of the Ahmadis.
Domes are the religious symbols not only for mosques but the same is also prevailent in Hindus and Sikhs places of worship. Hope, the so called protectors of Islam will not demolish them as well in Pakistan.
The people who want the dome to be demolished should be thrown in the sea...this is coming from a devout practicing Muslim who is tired of these filthy uneducated mullahs imposing their wrong beliefs about Islam.
LET THERE BE NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION
ashamed to be a pakistani.i urge all my ahmedi brothers to start leaving this country for their own good as this country has no future,bigotry and hatred only lead to one conclusion,just look at what happened to nazi germany.
Religion has destroyed Pakistan.
Next, it will be the turn of the Shias. It is already happening...
C'mon people!! Let us switch over to our real priorities, let everybody live the way want to.. At the end everybody is responsible for His / Her acts! Tolerance please!
“Let the police or the clerics do it if they want,” he said.
Fazal Ahmed saab ! I'm no police or cleric but can i be lucky enough to earn the reward of bringing that absurd imitation down ?? plz plz plz
those people who after reading about the crimes of Nazi's and wondering how humans were capable of committing such crimes against humanity should keep an eye on the Ahmadi situation in pakistan to understand how a community is de-humanized to make it look like anything is fair game against them.
My friend recently met some Europeans and he is a Tableeghi and he was telling them that Islam is the most tolerant religion in the world and Islamic countries are the most tolerant in the world and Europe should learn from them and also he lambasted Europeans that Europe is the only place where Muslims are persecuted. But this is the reality that Islamic countries are the Most Intolerant in the world and Muslims want every freedom in Europe and America but when it comes to their countries they prove to be the most Hypocritical in the world and persecute minorities. In Minority Muslims call for Secularism and in majority they clamor for Sharia.
what a nonsense state.is this state owned copy rights of Islam?will they brand Islam according to their constitution which was formatted by a Alcoholical comrade.such acts will not bore anything but rein the society.if the neighbors don't feel any problem then what to do with that mullah! Has he fulfilled all his other duties in accord to constitution?
What’s next…
All ahmadi’s (who have beards) must shave them as beard is Islamic attire and ahmadi’s are posing as muslims by keeping beards thus misleading and outraging the religious feelings of Muslims.
All ahmadi’s who have Muhammad or Ahmad in their name, or any other name having Islamic connotations should be immediately changed to non-Islamic names (preferably ahmadi’s should follow names of Jews).
The ahmadis must be strictly punished if found paying “Sadqa (money to needy and poor)” as only constitutional Muslims are allowed to follow teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The list goes on and on, will this ever stop?? You can follow your version of Islam, and let us follow our version of Islam. P.s we are not forcing ahmadi version onto your version of Islam, tolerance please.