Claiming of constant discrimination and threats to their lives, the Ahmadiyya community in Faisalabad has one more thing to worry about: resting in peace.
The Ahmadiyya community has called upon government functionaries as well as police authorities to help avert a possible clash which could erupt if the grave of an Ahmadi is excavated from a Muslim cemetery in the jurisdiction of the Jaranwala police station.
In this regard, Secretary Amoor-e-Aama, Jamaat Ahmadiyya Faisalabad, Syed Mahmood Ahmad Shah has written two letters to the Punjab home secretary and top police officials, expressing fears that if immediate steps are not taken to resolve the issue many Ahmadis “may lose their lives at the hands of banned outfits that are constantly hurling threats”.
He pointed out that for the last many years, the Ahmadiyya community has been living in peace and harmony and the communities (Muslim and Ahmadiyya) have a common graveyard in Jaranwala.
He further said that one member of their community, Nazeer Ahmad, who died on May 11, 2012, was buried in the graveyard, with the consent of all the villagers. However, he added, soon enough some maulvis from out of town started protesting against the burial and began a hate campaign against Ahmadis.
“The locals facilitated the funeral prayer and permitted the burial as they are not perverse and deviant like the maulvis, who are from out of town. They are trying to convince people to dig out the graves of Ahmadis saying they are non-Muslim infidels,” Shah said.
The secretary warned that if a single grave of an Ahmadi is desecrated, it would result in “serious consequences”.
He appealed to government functionaries and police authorities to discourage the maulvis taking any such step.
“We have been targeted and victimised mercilessly but there has been no sympathetic consideration for this community,” Shah said.
Meanwhile, SP Jaranwala Division, Shah Nawaz told The Express Tribune that the issue had been resolved following negotiations with all the stakeholders including the Ahmadiyya community.
“It has been made clear to the Ahmadiyya community that they will not bury their community members in a graveyard which is also a Muslim graveyard,” he said
The police official further said that efforts are being made for the allocation of state land for burials of Ahmadis separately in a newly developed graveyard.
“Special police forces have also been constituted which will patrol in the area around the clock so as to avert any untoward incident,” the SP added.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2012.
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@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: What does that have anything to do with grave desecration? Instead of fanning flames of hatred, heinous acts like grave desecration should be condemned.
@True Muslim Paki: Grave desecration is not an issue? Get real.
@A real Bloch: By your logic ET should encourage grave desecration. Let a human being rest in peace, at least after death.
@Hafeez: I fully agree with you 100%. Please find list prophets (Nauzubillah) as believed by Ahamadia Firqa (non-Muslim). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AhmadiyyaMuslimCommunity
Regards Dr. Saleem Siddiqi
That is why you are a pessimist.@Pessimist:
Isn't it disgusting that people claim themselves to be Muslims and practically they don't even possess fundamental ethics.To give respect to dead is a common code of conduct to all societies of the world. The word Islam means PEACE but so called Muslims are bringing shame to our religion and beliefs by not even showing respect to our dead!!!
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: This type of discrimination/segregation does not happen here. And I thought Pak is an Islamic country. (lol)
@SaQiB: Instead of criticizing ET, you should ponder this question: How can there be two sides to a story of grave desecration? Concentrate on preserving human dignity instead of pontificating on who is a Muslim and who is not.
@higgs: Graves of Ahmadis, Sunnis, or Shias should not be desecrated . Why cannot you grasp this simple fact?
These maulvis are taking Pakistan to the edge of the abyss. Time to make Pakistan a SECULAR country!
Pathetic and very shameful act by molvies.
@SaQiB: it is you who is misguided. I am a muslim but no where does allah say that i need to force my beliefs on someone else. nor does it say that graveyards need to be separate or that we need to live separately. Islam does not need the protection of any human being and neither does allah.
Alllah have mercy on you and your perverted thinking.
@ higgs The article pertains to the desecration of graves. Who cares if you or anybody else considers the deceased Muslims or non-Muslims? Desecration of graves is inhumane and should be stopped. That is how simple it is.
@Zeeshan: "As per 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ahmedies are Non-Muslims. ........... @Moosa Khan: Law and constitution decide an individual’s faith??? Of course, it’s only possible in Pakistan. and I 'd like to add:- A rose is a rose, whatever you call it - it will still be a rose; an apple is an apple, call it a cucumber but it will remain an apple. Similarly - A mosque is a mosque and an Ahmadi Muslim is an ahmadi muslim whether you like it or not. "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger" is the absolute Truth and shall always remain so. Even if you erase it a million times it will always remain a Fact. I want to say to you,"May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you." You want to stop me, okay! But I am free, by the grace of Allah, to wish you that- in my heart, and pray for you that you may be guided to the right path. Ameen.
Why is it so important for people to feel the need to label somebody as a Muslim or a non Muslim? Religion is a personal matter - keep it to yourself. Don't undermine the injustice inflicted upon Ahmadis because you don't consider them Muslim. Muslim or non-Muslim it doesn't matter - begin to see people as humans. If you lose your sense of humanity what good is religion?
@Wazi: 'Human beings', yes human beings...Allah Himself in His Infinite Knowledge and Power has categorized 'human beings' into 5-categories in His Book-The Qur'an:
Muslimeen (Those who have recited the Shahadah, and declared the surrendering of their will and purpose to Allah). M'omineen (The practicing Muslims). Kafireen (The confounders and hiders of the Truth). Mushrikeen (The polytheists and idol worshipers). Munafiqueen (The hypocrites).Categories 1 & 2 are the defenders, supporters, and expounders of the devine revealed Truth. Categories 3, 4, and 5 are the rebels of Allah (their Creator), and His endorsed and authorized final Prophet and Messenger-Muhammad (SAW).
So let us all 'introspect', and strive to become the followers of righteous guidance as revealed by Allah...which then, as a consequence will Insh'Allah, clear away all the prevailing ignorance and jahalat from human beings.
@Misbah: "Digging up the graves, one more opening for the jobless, directionless and… Mindless."
In other words: One more opening for the jobless, one more way away from Righteousness and one more Breaking News for the Mindful as well as the Mindless.
@higgs: Stop smoking hash you make no sense
@higgs: Just to clarify Ahmadis firmly believe in the finality of the prophet-hood of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Firstly, you should acquire complete and full knowledge about our beliefs and then throw accusations at us, to which I can again assure you we shall have evidence based responses from the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Anyone who believes that the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( Peace be upon him ) is not the last prophet of all law-bearing and non-law bearing Prophets but Mirza Ghulam Ahmed Qadiani is a new non-law bearing Prophet after the Holy Prophet , does not remain a muslim but becomes a follower of a new religion.He or she does not remain a muslim just because someone says so but because that is how it is.If no one call black colour black , it would not change its reality.The things are not because what is or what is not said about them but because they are what they are. A simple question to Ahmedis if someone says that Mirza ghulam ahmed qadiani is not a prophet but a liar and at the same time he says that he is Ahmedi and a follower of mirza ghulam ahmed qadiani , would they accept him as qadiani or not?
Law and constitution decide an individual's faith??? Of course, it's only possible in Pakistan.
What next? You don't even spare the dead. And yet you still think of better days ahead? Such acts call for Allah's curse. Such a defamed and demoralised Pakistan. People are stressed out with so many problems,poverty, no power, price hike on daily basis, lawlesness, natural calamities. It has been on the news today that intense flooding again this year with up to 15% more rains. When the wrath of Allah will show with full power, floods can wash away all the living and the dead. Why not fear Allah. Let the innocent live! And let the dead rest in peace! Save Pakistan.
@SaQiB: It is the mentality like yourself that is barring Pakistan from becoming a progressive development country.
It's really shocking to read some of the comments here.Some people have written that Ahmadies intentionally potray themselves as muslims while QURAN AND SHAIRAH do not allow them to do so. What does this mean sir? Are you really in your senses?Have you ever read Quran with the translation?There is no mention in Quran like what you wrote hear.On the contrary,Quran has declared openly that nobody has the right to decide the nature of quality of somebody else's belief.When Our Beloved Prophet S.A.W. came to madina he asked the companions to maintain a regidter for all the Muslims in Madina and The Holy Prophet S.A.W. himself said that whosoever say that he is a Muslim, write down his name in the register.So please my humble request is that do not mispresent Quran or Shariah or Hadith if you have not really studied it.May Allah the Almighty enable the people of our country to decide thier belief at least themselves without any hatered and partiality towards anybody.Jazkallah.
No suo moto by chief justice? Is desecration of minority graves a lesser crime than - Atiqa Odho carrying a bottle of alcohol - some anchors partnering with a tycoon who is fighting a case againsg CJ's son - Waheeda Shah's slap to EC staf?
@True Muslim Paki: "I think separate grave yards needs to be provided for Muslims and Non Muslims. Whats wrong in that?"
If there ARE separate graveyards and they bury an Ahmadi in a Muslim graveyard, your point would be valid. If yuo read the story however, it seems that in this village the graveyard has always been common. So once someone is buried on that basis, for out of town mullahs to come and desecrate the graves of someone who is already dead is just horrendous.Such behavious has nothing to do with Islam.
@R.A: you forgot one thing, the belief on the Holy Prophet being the last Prophet of Allah SWT
@SaQiB: You are absolutely right. The matter of seperate graveyard could not have acquired that level of hype therefore the story of excavation of ahmedi grave is framed to create an emotional shock, however no body is going to do that to any of the graves. Yes, that is possible people would have now realized and started objecting upon the burial of non muslims in the muslim graveyard, so there is no harm in this demand and government should allocate seperate land for their people.
The people who can not live together even in graveyards, how can they live peacefully when alive. Can they?
Digging up the graves, one more opening for the jobless, directionless and... Mindless.
@A real Bloch: Is that a real Bloch or a real Baloch? Either way, if you don't realize the gravity of digging up the dead and desecrating the remains, you are not doing the proud Baloch nation a favor by advocating beastly behaviour. Shame, shame, shame.
Most unfortunate and highly regrettable. Then we keep complaining and take out rallies to condemn Muslims' persecution in other countries, being minorities there. What would be our reaction, if non-Muslims in other countries dig out Muslims from their graveyards...?
What is a 'muslim' burial ground? or christian or jewish for that matter? it's earth, soil land... What harm can a lifeless body do to anything or anyone? No religion would allow you to disrespect humanity like this. Be it your enemy, or an 'infidel', nothing justifies excavating a grave. And for religious reasons; that's equivalent of blasphemy as one's doing something in the name of religion against its teachings. This is just plain ignorance and an example of the holier-than-thou attitude that's so fequently wrongly associated with being a good muslim.
Shameful Incident
I think separate grave yards needs to be provided for Muslims and Non Muslims. What
s wrong in that? Why make a big fuss over nothing? As per the constitution, Ahmedis are not muslims & thats it. ET makes a issue of a non issue.Pakistan was founded on the premise of protecting minorities rights from a Hindu majority. So how exactly are we protecting the dignity of minorities in Pakistan?
@omer: It is very clearly stated in Quran and Sunna that whoever does not believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet, is not a muslim. You dont need rocket science to understand that. However, Ahmadis have all the rights to be protected and considered equal citizens of Pakistan. Anyone threatening their lives and property are actually involved in heinous crime, and must be dealt with an iron hand.
how sad.....enough is enough.having no power to speak.....
My dear country is has now become a place where you are discriminated against not only when you are alive, but this discrimination doesn't stop even when you're dead.
Here is a picture of a Muslim American solider, buried in Arlington Cemetery alongside his christian, hindu, jewish, atheist peers. This can only happen when equality is not just a hollow slogan.
So sad and a very depressing moment for Pakistan and so called Pakistani's who have only learned to hate and kill innocent people but I was wrong they also hate dead people Pakistan needs a over hauling and which should be done soon otherwise Mushraf wisely said Pakistan Ka Allah Hafiz
My favorite tweet was by someone who wrote:
“One day I am going to learn Arabic myself, interpret the Quran the right way and then all our problems in Pakistan would be solved.”
@Pessimist: Only if we digress from the very purpose that this Beautiful Country was gifted us from Allah-An Islamic Welfare State!!! Come on Pakistan, get your act together, and Fast!!!
@SaQiB: many Ahmadis have fought for this country and laid down their lives in its defence. They deserve better then this
@SaQiB
Have you ever heard a thing as bizarre as removing bones from graves? Does it matter what faith the person followed whose bones now lie under a pile of dust? You can’t even tolerate a dead man.
ET's propaganda against Muslims. Ahmedis are non-muslims, they have separate graveyards. Although I reject their persecution but bottom line is that they arent Muslims.
@SaQiB: Who says Shariah bars us as muslims. We are Al hamdu Lilah Muslim. Shariah doesn't allow anyone to call others non muslims. Correct your record please. No one has copyrights of Islam to decide who to permit as posing Muslim and who not as Muslims.
@SaQiB: So it's alright to desecrate their graves then?
If a Christian dies - he is buried in a cemetery. If a Hindu dies - he is taken to Shamshaan Ghat. If a Muslim dies - he is destined to Muslim Graveyard. Parsis have their own burial system. Therefore if an Ahmadi (non-Muslim) dies - they should be buried in their own graveyard.
What is the fuss - - - - Please do not make matters complicated.
Regards Dr. Saleem Siddiqi
Pakistan urgently needs secularism.
The true Islamic teachings are that if a person recites Kalima ,say prayers facing Kaaba and declares that he is a muslim,he should be accepted as he says untill the day of judgement if Allah decides otherwise. If Pakistanis want to change this they must declare themselves to be superior to ALLAH AND RASOOL (S W S )The first lesson Islam teaches is humanity and that very essential teaching is lacking in every Muslim of this country. It may be expressed in their actions towards the Ahmadiyya Community in specific and everybody else in general. It is a sad state of affairs that the authorities who are supposed to provide justice, excel in these atrocities and hence there is nobody to put a stop to such acts of injustice. But then again, we as a community have firm belief in Allah that He is the Most Just and He shall see to it that such people meet their rightful end.
Religious scholars from Saudi so called Salafis will make Pakistan another Afghanistan just like they did there. Then any country can take over us and rule us for a decade. I pray to Allah to kill these Salafis without any delay so that this country can develop economically and we'll have jobs for our youth.
How sad and thought pakistan could not get any worse but i was wrong
@saqib. it is a pity that people like you feul sectarionism. who was Button to decide who is Muslim and who is not? And minorities are victims in this country. A secular, properous Pakistan died a long time ago because of people like you.
Here in Europe which are predominantly Christian countries, deceased Muslims are open hartedly burried in the same grave yard. Before burial even Namaz Janaza is also facilitated at the same spot. Authorities pay equal attention to each grave irrespective of breed, race, colour or religon of deceased. This is what the real teachings are of main relgions of the world. Can the religious scholars of Pakistan also ensure this beautiful teachings of Islam.
Who says there is no caste system in Pakistan? The evidence is here and its perhaps more deeply entrenched and worst than India
As per 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ahmedies are Non-Muslims. Ahmedies should be treated as Non-Muslims like Christians, Hindus etc. Separate land should be allocated for them so that they can bury their deceased ones. This matter should be resolved at Government level, and avoid revoking dispute locally.
@Eeman:
Qur'an consists of precise instructions of Allah passed on as messages to Prophet Mohammed(PUBH). Therefore, following these instructions doesn't need high IQ and definitely they shouldn't be subjected to rational analysis as Allah's instructions have to be followed without a question.
This nation is destined to be Doomed!
And yet again!! only "One-sided" story on ET........... projecting Ahmadis as the most oppressed human beings on earth........ they deliberately project themselves as muslims when law and shariah bars them from that..... all so only to misguide some ignorant people and luring them into ahmadia religion.........ET get a life plz!!!
As long as you don't regulate mosques, and populate them with people with higher IQ, thinkers with rational approach, and believers who've visited not less than three continents and have spent fair amount of time overseas, we'll keep on seeing such class-clowns making a fool out of religion!