The condemned: A special report on Ahmadi persecution - coming soon
The upcoming documentary aims to let voices from the community tell their stories themselves. Most of the interviews have been recorded without revealing the identities of the interviewees because the degree of threat these people face is extreme.
For an Ahmadi, to even come out in public to let the society openly know that he or she is a follower of this faith is a risk. To film the major chunk of the report, we travelled to Rabwah which is the hometown of the community in Pakistan and also the safest place for an Ahmadi to live in the country.
There are many victims of persecution who cannot even leave the town out of fear for their lives.
This is their story.
BACKGROUND
Primary target
The Ahmadi population remains under what is a constant state of attack. Reports of assaults and murders are received frequently…Ahmadi-specific laws enforced in the country, since the 1970s, prevent the community from “posing” as Muslims or calling their places of worship “mosques”.
The treatment meted out to the Ahmadi community is a very biased one, where they have faced year after year of persecution and abuse. Further disturbing is the reality that there is no sign that such practices will end soon.
Why speak for the Ahmadis?
A fragile defence of the silence on the issue could be along the lines that it is not really my cause or you know one cannot speak for everybody or on every issue, etc. That is ridiculous and cowardly; you cannot let a moral challenge go when it is menacingly looking you in the eye. The discussion on the persecution of Ahmadis has a sobering effect, even on some of the most firebrand, outspoken activists. The discussion is subdued, with often a tedious effort to search for neutral, inoffensive words since the matter is ‘sensitive’.
A most dangerous place
Ahmadis may be killed with impunity because their persecution by a significant segment of society is ignored by the state and the government of the day…Hatred and extremism are becoming the hallmarks of the sociology of the state.
COMMENTS (47)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
As far as I am concerned we shouldn't object to any of this, even Indian newspaper can also come and report on it as they have special corner for all the news from Pakistan, which is all negative :) anyway, I have seen & been with many Ahmedi's, we never discriminated against them in school or university, in fact we never even questioned their beliefs! The main problem here is with the tag of NON-MUSLIMS that the Ahmedi's feel bad about, because of this they are not fully integrated into Muslim society as in the annual festivals, ummrah, hajj etc.The Saudi government does not allow any Ahemdi's for pilgrimage, what about them?. Apart from this Ahmedis are fully integrated into Pakistan, except for few fanatics who brainwash people against Ahmedis. I think media should arrange debates between Muslims and Ahmedi's instead of creating hatred amongst Pakistani's, just a healthy suggestion.
When is the documentary releasing? Date please? Waiting for so long...
The persecution of Ahmadis is a hallmark of hatred in the name of religion, that Pakistanis have been taught for about generations. Its time to stop such hatred and let everyone practice their religion upon their own wish. Failure to do so is just a proof of our disbelief in our own religion.
please stop persecution on ahmadies
Each and every Pakistani is terrorist in his life look at the Mosques they don't care about any patient whether he is heart patient or weak child. They don't reduce their loudspeaker's volume you will have to close your ears. Look at the police officer give him money and do anything. There are lots of example which show that they can do anything without caring any human's benefit. Ahmadies are patriot citizen they are not allowed to change the Pakistan. They are doing their best for the sake of Pakistan in their limits.
Excellent article and documentry. A voice with courage and truth. God bless u Rabia.
@LionOfPunjab: No dear Hazaras & Shia brothers these days are suffering perhaps more than anyone else. ET & other media networks should cover their plight as well. Equality of citizens what Pakistan really lack but for us who are the sufferers should join hands to eradicate militancy we should make the real impact.
Waiting anxiously for the program. My prayers are that it may actually get through before some Mullah or Politician jumps in to put it on hold.
I should say its a brave and admirable step by author.
Dozens of hazaras/shias get butchered in this land of pure. Why doent ET have extensive coverage hazaras like that of ahmedis? Are hazaras childern of lesser gods?
Its nice to see, that in these dark times, there exist still few writers, who dare to speak truth. May God bless them.
We are led to believe that Pakistan is divided by its provincial politics, and our biggest insecurities come from India and the US, but some of the worst and the most real and physical crimes that people commit against each other in this country are based on religion. It is our pride in sectarian exclusivity that has valiantly strengthened our dissections. We sideline our minorities as people, because we fear them and they fear us. The only one being we trust and fight for is our exclusive sectarian God.
*In the contemporary Pakistan, things started changing and the sectarian divide increased between the 1950s and 1970s. It all started with the identifying of Ahmadis as non-Muslims. Non sectarian JINN is out of control.*
Express Tribune & Rabia Mehmood's effort is highly commendable. Very bold effort given the circumstances & atmosphere we are living in. Hat's off to you. Voicing for weaker sections of society is a Noble deed indeed. Please keep up the good work. May Allah be with you and your team.
@Sane.: To take a stand against persecution is admirable. To fight zulm is the responsibility of a momin. Remember Shib Abi Talib.
Being a muslim i can safely comment on the on going religious fanaticism situation in Pakistan. First of it has been decided in the constitution that Ahmadies/ Qadiayanies are non muslims and there should be no debate on it, if some body wants to contest it, he should go to the Assemblies and get it changed. But the point is when it has been decided then why the community is being haunted and why a hot pursuit is being carried out by the fanatics, is commercial point of view is involved. If some body is making livelihood out of it then he is doing it on the cost of damaging Ummah and Pakistan. Being the citizens of Pakistan they have equal rights and if we will not provide them then the international community will assist them and even then we will be angry and offended on world interference. More over, the people who are making money out of it will spread their tentacles and move to other small and week sects for exploitation. These parasites of our society need such conflicts to nurture and to live. If we, the citizens of Pakistan will let them flourish then one day they will come to claim us also. A WARNING FOR THE PARASITES THAT ALL OF THIS IS BEING RECORDED SOME WHERE, YOU WILL BE ANSWERABLE TO GOD IN THE AFTER LIFE BUT MAY BE TOMORROW SOME TRIBUNAL OF UN COME TO VISIT US LOOKING FOR THE PERPARATORS, THEN WHAT WILL THESE PARSITES WILL DO.
It is sickening that even revealing injustice to a community is termed as pro- or favour to it.What human rights are enjoined in teaching of Islam and is there any sin greater than killing of peaceful citizens? Aren't Muslims elsewhere in minority and what treatment do we expect for them to be just there?Please have fear of God and don't become God yourself to judge one's religious guilt or otherwise.
The level of hatrism has been extended to such a limit that Ahmadis feel difficulty in breathing in such environment. This level is seen specially in PUNJAB where i think the level of hatrism been spread and the level of discrimination is 90%, the rest been in the remaining parts of Paksitan. And there is nothing strange in saying that PML (N) Governmnet supports the facts or else the situation would have been much different.
how quaint Islamic hospitality
@Wajahat
Sir, I respect your opinion. You have all the right to disagree with anything you want. This is not the right forum to discuss these issues. I think you missed my point. I was trying to emphasize that we all should work together to make this world a better a place rather than spreading hatred.
We Muslim believe that there is no prophet after prophet Muhammad PBUH, who ever believe on it, they should follOw the commandments of Quran; the killing one gunman being is like the killing of whole humanity, lets do not allow these extremist to over come our society, Shia, has the same right to live in Pakistan as Sunni has, Ahmadis has the same right as every body else, do not destroy the places of worship:
@Salman Sir, Would you please mention by example what Mirza Masroor sb is doing to save Humanity. ( I apologize if i hurt your feelings. But Sir, * Can you co relate his lavish life style with Khulafa e Rashedien , * Isn't it true that Jamat is involved mortgage business ( RIBA ) which is HARAM.
I have a lot more sir but its not the debate and right Forum. When you pay Chanda it is your right to ask how much JAMAT collects and where is it spend.
I apologize again if I hurt the feelings.
It's a small minority (mainly lost Mullah's) who for their own interest create situation where one ethnic or sect or followers of one faith criticized, face fatwa's n some time they cross all civilized human limits. Anyone of any faith has full right to live in Pakistan n practice a faith in which they so believe. Funny part is groups who claim Pakistan as their Jageer are the ones who were against it's conception. Faith or religious believe is ones own choice, If Allah doesn't force (Allah only show the way) than who are we or they to claim as judge/jury. Live n let live, it would be much good for the nation if we all work hard for Pakistan, irrespective who is who n what faith one has.
Thank you for doing this. I pray to God that this documentary opens up the eyes of many Pakistanis who have no idea what is happening to an Ahmadi in Pakistan.
-Plus, being this a very sensitive topic, i pray for your family amd yoir safety. May allah bless you and you keep on doing the right thing.
Thank You :)
I've got a lump in my throat and tear in my eyes ... for so long have we suffered in silence because we are not allowed to raise our voices .. thanks ET for voicing on our behalf
People can disagree with our belief .. that's their fundamental right .. they can say that we are wrong .. that's fine but please, Islam doesn't allow one to persecutor on religious basis.
Live and let live .. love for all; hatred for none
Thanks rabia for voicing out the difficulties of minorities in Pakistan. Another brave effort indeed that makes me scared, as living in the jungle and criticizing the lion can have terrible consequences. I remember when i was as a student in pakistan, An ordinary pakistani is brain washed by the religious clerics to such an extent that they do not care about anything. They know that the country's law will protect them. i just wish and wish and wish that lives of minorities become better in pakistan.
@Wajahat Laeeq:
Sir, you are absolutely right about the innocent people killed in the drone strikes. That is highly condemnable. But, the fact of the matter is, and you being an ex-Ahmadi, should know that a State deciding the religion of its citizens has not done any good. The case of Ahmadis must be highlighted as it is a unique case of a State interfering with its citizens' beliefs. Furthermore, it is the only case where a state has imposed laws against a particular 'community.' These are only some of the reasons why the case of Ahmadis is different from others.
Sir, the point that you raised about Mirza Masroor Ahmad, I would highly recommend to follow what he is doing to save humanity. It is not just about people killed in drone strikes or Ahmadis being persecuted because of their belief, the broader picture is to save humanity from all these cruel issues.
I hope sanity prevails and we could all live peacefully.
@Sane E.T is not pro Ahmadis E.T is PRO PERSECUTED There is no harm in it beause every true Muslim should be like thatThank you :)
Don't have much to say as all the users above supporting this documentary have said my heart out and I sincerely hopes this brings some attention and make the haters understand that they have no right to declare and judge anyone's belief.
What I do know is that all these haters would be questioned by Allah one day for what they have done in the past and the one who would continue hating Ahmadi-muslims!
AOA,
Innocent killing is evil does not matter what faith you belong to . I am an ex ahmedi and many of my family members are still in pakistan and still Devoted Ahmedies. They are not only safe but also enjoying good positions and Businesses in Pakistan.I am not saying it is excellent situation in Pakistan for ahmedies but its not as bad as its shown and projected specially in west. I hope Mirza Masroor sb will highlight Drone attacks and civilian killings in them while he is in USA today leading a JALSA here. More innocents are killed in Drone attacks than Ahmedies all over the world.Alot more Regular muslims died in pakistan in terror attacks than Ahmedies.
No offence and not trying to hurt feeling.
Regards
Its a very bold initiative.....keep it up. Expose the truth to public.
We require such kind of writer in a very big number and with there effort we can save one part of our society and make them peace loving people.Peopl who respect others faith and give them free choice of there believe.Allah bless her for this great effort.All Muslim who love Islam should stand up for such great cause.
@Sane.:
When the rest of the society if so bigoted isn’t it great? Should you not be supporting ET?
Love 4 all, Hatred 4 none.
@Jawad Iqbal Jawad 'Amadis must be treated according to the principles and laws taught by Islam. Nothing should be done against Islamic ideology.'
With all due respect Sir, can you please explain what does Islamic ideology teach us about the treatment of Ahmadis?
I am extremely grateful to the team who has taken this initiative. Keep up the good work!
Amadis must be treated according to the principles and laws taught by Islam. Nothing should be done against Islamic ideology.
@Sane.: Your comment is another type of harrassment that you are saying that if ET is talking about Ahmedis then they are pro Ahmedis?What type of heart does Pakistanis have actually?
@S.F.Ali: Why not again? Why the majority dont want to listen to the plight of minority. Pakistan is not an Utopia and every minority including Shias, ahmedis and christians are persecuted and we should raise voices for their plight.
"Hatred and extremism are becoming the hallmarks of the sociology of the state."
why is ET so pro-Ahmedi...
Excellent endeavour. Atlast someone is raising the voice of the prosecution of Ahmadis. However, I will not be surprised if the producer of this documentary is accused of blasphemy and forced to leave Pakistan for her safety.
I highly appriciate the effort of the Tribune Express of highlighting the Ahmadiyya persecution in Pakistan.
Highly applaud the effort. May God reward the author for highlighting such issues.
.....Not again....
Live & Let live please . mind ur own business whose belief is what . let them be as we are all humans