Dr Medhi Ali. PHOTO: JAMAAT-E-AHMADIYYA
CHENAB NAGAR: A member of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was shot dead in Chenab Nagar on Monday allegedly because of his faith.
Cardiac surgeon Dr Mehdi Ali was on his was way back from a graveyard when two men on a motorbike opened fire. He was shot 11 times, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Rabwah told The Express Tribune.
The 50-year-old US national was visiting Pakistan for research work at Tahrir Cardiac Hospital, Rabwah along with his family.
The attackers managed to flee the scene of the crime. Ali's body was taken to a nearby hospital. No FIR was registered till the filing of this report.
COMMENTS (100)
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@smalee: Why you want to side track the real issue blaming on others proxy war etc until unless you address the issue in real perspective you will not be able tom find a solution. It is a clear cut case where an Ahmadi hass been brutally killed, he was a Doctor came to serve the ailing people without any greed he was not going to charge anything for his services but he was rewarded with death. Shame on you/
Allah will punish those who did this act of terrorism by killing Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar. At the same time the present govt of Punjab & center is equally responcible for this act of terrorism.
Tears in my Eyes, but still I strongly believe "Love for all Hatred for None"
Prayers are the only weapons for us may god help this nation otherwise we are going to history soon.
This is for the killers and their supporters "And let not the disbelievers think that Our granting them respite is good for them; the result of Our granting them respite will only be that they will increase in sin; and they shall have an humiliating punishment." Chapter 3 : Verse 179
Very Sad indeed!
question arises in the mind that weather he really came to Pakistan because of only research work or there was some another agenda behind as well??? but we all are giving our judgmental comment about the cause of death. so stop giving comments on assumptions and let the Police to investigate this incident first and investigation should cover 360 degree, . . anyways the crime is crime and it must be condemn. i also say that this is the complete failure of the law enforcement agencies.
@Imran: What sort of paradise is that where killers are honoured?
@Moiz: Many of the minority institutions and citizens are slowly going, They should be allowed to leave the country with dignity
I am not Qadiani or Mirzai, but sorry to hear about the target killing of a Doctor, whether he was Qadiani or not, he visited Pakistan on a good cause. This is not a first case of target killing, since 1992 it became normal practice of target killing on daily bases. Most of the professionals like Muslim Ulamas, Doctors, Judges, Professors and businessmen have killed.
May God rest his soul in peace and grant hima lofty station in paradise. May He give strength to the greiving family to bear such a tragic loss. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and all those souls who were touched by Dr Qamar in one way or the other.
From God we are and to him shall we return.
Have known Dr. Mehdi and family since childhood and witnessed no disputes with anyone I know of in Pakistan or USA....it is a crime against humanity in the name of religion by worthless and worst of...... RIP Dr. Mehdi and lots of love, condolences and prayers for the family.
Very sad......RIP
A US based doctor (who are financially well off) with his/her family based abroad would not get involved in a stupid land or property dispute. @huma. You said non Ahmadis hardly ever go to rabwa. It looks like a family dispute.
Molvis in Pakistan conduct days long public meeting there every year. Additionally, there are Sunni mosques in Rabwah. So your comment is false.
"Once you attempt legislation upon religious grounds, you open the way for every kind of intolerance and religious persecution." -W. B. Yeats
It is sad and unfortunate but Ahmadis are not cowed down by these killings. Ahmadis get more strength and their resolve to spread goodness increases many time after these killings. Allah will punish these criminals but pakistanis as nation will have to pay for their silence on these atrocities. Muslims are fragmented and in choas and needs a unifying leader and that is Imam Mahdi and Messiah. May Allah give muslims brain and heart to understand message of Imam Mahdi.
Dr Mehdi Ali sacrifices his life for us and what we are doing here today ?? we need to find out that. This was him today and who knows who will be tomorrows target ?? may be you or may be me ??? Wake up people we need to change this system in which every one can live together with love and peace. This life is too short we need to spread love. May Allah Bless him and give courage to his family and friends to bear this big loss. Dr Mehdi, you will be always in our hearts.
Hi, Just want to add that this is always government responsibility to protect the rights of the people, but our govt totally fails in that, Allah will ask them on the day of judgement.
May God bless him
@Syeda KAzmi: You are purely ignorant and don't know when to speak .... I guess!
I am a ahmadi out of Pakistan now, getting my higher studies in a developed country. Before leaving Pakistan I was receiving threats clearly telling me because I was Ahmadi, so I will be killed. Now after getting my higher degree I am reluctant to come back. Just to tell people on this blog, who are trying to hide the truth that prominent ahmadi men and women are being targetdd in Pakistan.
This is a sad incident and unfortunately there is no end to such incidents in Pakistan. Somebody is trying to convert this country into an unsafe place and heaven for terrorists. May be those people are behind all this who opposed Quaid-e-Azam and Pakistan movement and used to call it Paleedistan. Now they are trying to convert it into Paleedistan. Let us pray to Allah for mercy as innocent people are being killed in this country and we are watching it silently.
...and we're living in 2014
When I was visiting Rabwah last year, I was woken up early morning by Imam calling for prayer (Aazan). I asked my host how can there be Aazan when Pakistan government law has banned this for all Ahmadis? He replied that our good neighbors are members of Shai faith, and there is sizeable community across the railway lines. In addition to this there are churches as well. So Rabwah (Chenab Nagar) is home to people of all faith.
Secondly, the local muslim population also lives close by. And sadly the local clergies there are a source of inspiration to the hatemongers who have Perpetrated this crime.
our only prayer now is that as the departed Doctor was a US citizen, the US government should now ask our PML (N) government for action. In our community, hate crime increases whenever PML N comes in power.....
@Last Word: Whenever there is a religious war, all sects of each religion show solidarity.. In India there is muslim vs Hindu as we have seen in the recent past, the major riots which resulted in thousands of people (Muslim & Hindu both) to lost their lives .. so its not that shia, sunni, ahmedi etc are safe there.. they are cohesive against the Divide and Rule policy...and please I am not anti Indian at all, I am just telling you another aspect of reality..
@ali: A critical aspect here is that all minorities have solidarity in them as compare to the Sunni school of thought where you can clearly see the divisions.. so its not that their genocide is not highlighted or there is some conspiracy against it, its more for a reason that there is no solidarity in them to speak out as one voice against the oppression... P.S: Killing any human being is not justified at all either on sectarian grounds or personal enmity.
@Anonymus:
And how can you say m in hatred business?? For your kind information I am repeating my statement.. Either Dr. Mehdi Ali fell prey to personal enmity or sectarian killing, it is a great loss for us as a nation coz we really need such highly qualified and credible assets in our country..
@Huma: My cousin sees about 80 to 100 patients in his outdoor and 90℅ of them are non Ahmadies. How can you say Non Ahmadies dont visit Rabwah. When they want a good treatment they come runing here not caring about that they call same Dr a Kafir.
I don't know how the Ahmadiyya community suddenly jumped to the conclusion he was killed because of his faith since the gunmen fled and we have no evidence that he was killed because of his faith. It could have been land or money dispute.
@Talha. Please note the Rahmat lil Alameen (saw) said the killing of one innocent person is like the killing of all humanity.
After the death of this noble Ahmadi Doctor - I fear that Sunni Doctors (Pak origin) from North America will no more visit Pakistan for charity purpose. Let me assure all Sunnni USA Doctors that Pakistan is safe for you ONLY.
@ ali Why usually Ahmadis are killed under land or family dispute. Is it rich and disputed minority? Surely, NOT.
@ ALL It is easy to teach an ignorant but difficult to convince an educated. Doctor Mehdi was above all human - and his murder is condemnable. I openly respect his faith, belief and practices because my religion preaches tolerance.
@ Muhammad: Amen
@ Pakistani Humwatano I wish to abuse the killer but have to refrain and respect the sanctity of this forum. I would like to quote from Sufi poetry / song i.e. "Aray Mullah tu Janaza Phar - Main Jano Meray Khuda Janay". Probably my silence is best tribute to Doctor Mehdi M.D. Feel extremely sorry for you.
Alas, May the deceased be granted highest esteem in the life hereafter and may the killers be blessed with righteous sense of things, may their hearts turn to righteousness. Amen
It's also sad to read some of the comments here where ppl are pointing to Land/Family disputes or other conspiracy theories. We Pakistanis have lost our way badly, we don't trust and shut ourselves to realities. Persecution should STOP irrespective of which faith, NO HUMAN should be killed for one’s believes.
We, Pakistanis should accept bitter realities and distance ourselves from extremism and intolerance. May Peace, Love and Humanity Prevail. Amen!
Irrespective of faith - it is shameful act by insane person n probable reflection of his belief. May doctor sahib's his soul rest in peace ( in jannah). Want to see how say Amen. Shame on us as citizen of this country.
@MC: Please note that Qadyanis are not muslim as per 1974 Anti-Ahmadiyya riots and Second Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
People here are interpreting according to their level of wisdom and sight. This tragic event took place and very clearly those Ahmadis are targeted who are either engaged in preaching or humanity work. This angel was one of them. He came to this country to serve his country men. This is a fact whether anyone likes it or not, accept it or reject. Your rejection is another proof of lack of wisdom and Noor which Allah has taken away from you as a result of your disobedience and rejection of Promised Messiah which already has sent by God. Alhamdulilah this angel and we are the followers and among believers.
land dispute?? With a doctor from the USA?
This is the type of guy who would give people land rather than cause an argument or a rift in the family.
Mind you, if it was a land dispute killing the doctor wouldn't have ended it.....
This was cold blooded murder.
I knew Dr. Mehdi Ali Qamar personally. He was very nice and soft spoken person. He did not have any enemies or family disputes. He was a person with a sensitive heart. He used compose Urdu poems.
Although we don't know for sure why he was killed, but most likely it was because of his faith. It is not hard to imagine for any knowledgeable person. This is not the first time it has happened. In May of 2010, almost four years ago, more than 80 Ahmadis were killed in a terrorist attack on two Ahmadi places of worship.
Discriminatory law against Ahmadis have encouraged religious extremists in Pakistan to take the law in their own hands and beat them, attack their homes and religious buildings, discriminate against innocent kids in public schools, and kill them. Because they know that police will not do any due diligence. And even if they are caught they will have the support of extremist mullahs.
In 1974 Ahmadis were declared non-Muslims for the purpose of law. In 1984 ex-president and military dictator issued an ordinance (ordnance 20) that made it a criminal offence for an Ahmadi if he directly or indirectly poses himself a Muslim, invites others to his faith, say Azan, calls his place of worship mosque, or in any manner whatsoever outrages religious feelings or Muslims shall be punished with imprisonment for up till three years.
Majority of Pakistanis are very decent. Because we don't see that much FIRs against Ahmadis. If anyone complains that there feelings were hurt by an Ahmadi, that Ahmadi can be prosecuted for that.
Some people may think that I am making these laws up. They may say this is what used to happen at the time of Sikh Misals. Muslims were not allowed to say Azan, mosques were abandoned.
No this a law that is still part of PPC (Section 298-B, 298-C of Pakistan Penal Code). And this is probably the only set of law that applies to a certain sect. This only applies to Ahmadis. Strange justice system. Only possible in Israel and Pakistan.
For all those who are saying that its a family dispute and non Ahmadi's don't go to Rabwah I must tell you that when you've to kill someone you can go anywhere and God Forbidden if that happens to your family member then might you ever understand.
@ali:you are very uninformed. He was in Pakistan for 3 days to treat patients for free on a humanitarian volunteer mission. He was based in the USA, not Pakistan. Land disputes has no relation to any of it. It was clearly a targetted killing due to his faith.
Have personally known Dr.Mehdi since childhood. Very humble and moderate family with no dispute with anyone. May God rest your soul in peace.
@Syeda KAzmi: People like u are in the business of hatred .Read bbc news it says pamphlets were distributed that going to the tahir hospital is kufur . These pamphlets were distributed few days before that. they have published the copy of pamphlet also.
It looks like family dispute to you? Really? Do you have facts or just sitting beside the computer and just playing guessing games@Huma:
@ali: Absolutely agree with you. Personal enmity is far more likely to be the cause given the highly tolerant and harmonious society that Ahmadis live amongst.
It was an attack based on faith. It was a targeted attack. Ahmadi doctors and other minority ones have been on the extremist hit-list for years now. This was not personal. Those of you who want to misappropriate and befuddle this by adding your personal thoughts, don't. Please respect the victim and his family.
Just remember that the greater tragedy is that religious hatred has spread like cancer in Pakistan and it is Pakistanis who will get hurt in the future because of this, no one is immune.
i wonder why the killing of sunni muslims do not catch similar headlines, does one have to be a minority in a muslim country to be treated as a human? look at Pakistan where sunnis are being slaughtered everyday, look at Syria where sunni muslims are facing genocide and the international community and media talks about a christian girl who could not have a proper wedding in syria, it is insane not just inhumane to treat sunni muslims this way
Indeed it's a shameful & cowardly act. We need cardiac specialist & professionals in this field who could help. In these circumstances & incidents who would come to this Paki land to help those who are in dire need of these doctors. I myself have gone to this surgery & believe me that a good doctor or surgeon makes a big difference. This hate will distroy us one day completely these no compulsion in religion. Islam is religion of peace & love, this is brutal inhuman act. In Rabwah, as I heard there cardiac surgeons & hospital doing fantastic work on every patient they are receiving. It's being done without knowing his or her belief. So why this hate & cruelty?
sad indeed! a jungle culture has engulfed Pakistani. No one is safe there over there as only animals can live and survive that society. People are killed everyday because of their belief not because of their wisdom and contribution to society.
@Gohar: I didn't know that people get paid for commenting on somebody's death... but you seems to be quite repleted with the info...
@Gohar: I also cant imagine how rude a person can be with no reason.. even if its a personal enmity case it is highly condemnable and a great loss indeed...
@Kashif: To All people who are leaving comments. I have couple of things to say. Unfortunate for Pakistan who have erased its history. The Ahmadi's who spent all their life serving their country you have taken their names out of history books. I am talking about the first Foreign minister of Pakistan Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zaffarullah Khan, then How did they treat Dr Abdussalam Sahib the only muslim Nobel Prize winner. You have hundreds of Ahmadi Doctors business men, lawyers who are discriminated because they call themselves Muslims. Pakistani People please open your eyes. Be a JUST nation.
There are at least a few occasions every month when I say "Thank you Shri.Jinnah". This is certainly one of them.
Dears, I want to add few comments, every1 has the right to live, muslim or non-muslim. The state is responsible for every such and other non-sense incidents in the country.
Although there are some stupid people exists in our country, but we can not ignore foreign element and poverty factor.
When people can sell their loved ones, slaughter their kids and even send them to brothel just for few Hundreds.
So u can expect anything from them.
We are having proxy wars in our country which have increased sectarian violence manifolds.
We have to accept the fact before its too late and have to address the grounds. Otherwise we will be the victim of divide and rule policy.
I belong from the un-fortunate majority.
Regards
Those who are always concerned with the plight of Indian Muslims should know that all its sects including Ahmedis are safe in India. Neither any one is targeted nor any hurdle is put in performing their religious rituals. Pakistan needs to follow India in maintaining harmony with its minorities as such incidences are giving a bad name to this country.
What is happening to Pakistan? This is insanity. There is no safe place left for Ahmadis in Pakistan.
Pakistan has lost so many jewels like this. Shame on us.
Already there is shortage of Cardiologists in Pakistan and will any doctor come to Pakistan and those who are already there will be thinking for leaving the country after such brutal killings, a doctor gives life to person and they gave him death, shame on such elements and also on those who are trying to paint it as result of property dispute or family enemity. May you soul rest in peace and you family leave this country at the earliest and nevefr come back.
@Huma: I am sorry but you are wrong almost 60% of the patients are non-ahmadis and it is not a family dispute !!!!!
All Pakistanis should cobdemn the free killing to citizens whatever is the reason behind it. We should not say "oh it happened because of this or that" as like it is justified. These kind of crual crimes are a massive weapon against the whole nation. Today, Ahmadis and other minorities are killed, tomorrow, any person can be targeted. Shame on us to not condamn these killing clearly and loudly. Shame on us to be named Muslims while others are killed in this crual way in front of our eyes. Wake up Pakistan!!!! Wake up Muslims!!!
he will rest in peace inshallah, allah bless his soul
We are the biggest hypocrites...!!!
Comments here by "educated" Pakistanis are awful. An Ahmadi doctor was killed after publishing of a hate pumphalet against Tahir institute where he was volunteering and intellectuals here are guessing that this is because of land dispute.Disgusted
Problem here every one is free to state own perceived view point but you can not hid the facts. He was US Citizen. Came here on short stay. Ahmadi call it "Waqfe Arzi" He used to come in Pakistan to serve the sick and patients. Same was motive this time. He has no property, no service and no other interest. Just came to serve the mankind on humanitarian basis. Very sad thing he along with his wife and 3 children went to pay homage to his deceased parents in grave yard and there he got killed. When no enmity, no dispute with any one what can be the cause. Simply the faith. Radicals youth have been brain washed kill an Ahmadi and go to paradise. This mind set of radicals have made the life of Ahmadis miserable in Pakistan. Unfortunately one sees no light even at the end of the tunnel.
Dr Mehdi Ali's maternal grandfather Master Ziauddin Arshad was also killed in in similar circumstances in 1974 at Rabwah. Dr Ali was intelligent and highly active throughout his academic career. He remained top class student throughout his education at Talim-ul Islam High school and College Rabwah. It was his utmost desire for the service of humanity that inspired him to seek medical education. H completed his MBBS degree from Punjab Medical College Faisalabad surviving the atrocities Ahmadi medical student had to bear during the era of General Ziaul Haq. He then served at Fazl-e-umar hospital Rabwah until he immigrated to Canada in 1991-92. During that time he was the most pivotal force behind establishing the eye bank in Rabwah as one of the founding doctors of that institute. After immigrating to Canada, he completed the MD from US, and started his residency training in a hospital in Brooklyn in 1996. Since his mother had heart ailment and died of heart attack, he decided to pursue his specialization in Cardiology. His intelligent mind did not let him stop his education/training there and he decided to spend more time learning interventional cardiology rather than cashing his already long and tedious training and acquired further skills. He became board certified internist, cardiologist, and interventional cardiologist. After spending six long years in residency and training, he moved from Brooklyn to Ohio and joined a group of cardiologists. Even though, he was too very busy as a respected and trusted cardiologist in the area, but he never let his volunteer spirit die. He continued to volunteer for Ahmadiyya Community's humanitarian causes in several different capacities. He was not only donating cardiac stents sending them to Tahir Heart Institute Rabwah on a regular basis but he has been volunteering to go there personally and treat patients at Tahir Heart Institute Rabwah which has a strong policy to treat without religious discrimination. It is one of the finest Heart Hospital of Pakistan. It was his current volunteer stint at Tahir heart Institute where he was killed while serving the ailing humanity. He volunteered to come 2 days ago and serve the poor patients providing them highest level of cardiac care. Sacrificing his time and money for the needy of remote areas of Pakistan. May Allah elevate his status in paradise. Perhaps now Pakistan does not deserve people who truly serve humanity. Ahmadis have always lived to their motto of 'Love for all hatred for none' and shown great determination in the face of adversity. May Punjab government be able to see this atrocious crime in a the true light of religious hatred and act against the religious extremists willing to kill innocent and highly benevolent personalities.
@ syeda kazmi.. its how easy these days for people to say that he may be killed due to personal enmity.. so you are encourging killing ppl if its because a personal enmity. .. shows that its not a big deal in pakistan these days !!!!
must be america, india or Israel no one in pakistan can do such BAD things. some people are still sleeping behind the wheel.
@Huma:
Numeorus examples when they went there for terrorism or inciting hatred.
It validates 2 nation theory .
Lets hope the US government pursues the murder of one of its citizen and brings the murderers to justice.
ali: I knew him personally, he was there to do volunteer work at Tahir Heart Institute. He isn't the first Ahmadi doctor targeted.
Sir! its most unfortunate that the Ahmadiyya community is constantly being persecuted and still we are trying to prove otherwise. No matter if the culprits are not arrested and brought to justice again and again (as in all previous cases) but we believe its only Allah the Almighty, who knows everything, He will surely bring to justice; everyone i.e. not only those who plan n commit this sort of heinous crimes but also those who try to face their faces.
Very sad ... What a waste of talent ...
@Farhan: Don't bother discussing with the lady Kazmi - i cannot even imagine that a lady has such views. So please you paid social media commentators - get a life and try to be able to look yourself in the mirror !!!
Inna lillahee wa Innah elah-e-rajaoon! still no one knows the reason of killing, Ahmadis! why are you relating it with faith and blaming non-Ahmadis. Now we will see Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib(ab) will accuse non-Ahmadis with 100% surety in his next friday sermon. and shame on non-Ahmadi Govt. as they will not take any action against killing of innocent Ahmadis and hatred campaign by Mullahs against them. This is all religious politics against each other.........May his soul, through the mercy of Allah, rest in peace.
@ Ali.
You are absolutely correct...
@Moiz: I am not ignoring the minority killings, I myself belongs to a minority. Even if you talk about shia killing for instance, I can tell you that shites are being targeted on the basis of their faith but again not all are.. there are number of victims I know who fell prey to either personal enmity or property dispute but they were all highlighted as a sectarian killing...so I am against being judgmental in these cases...and vague information about these sort of killings only add fuel to the fire...
Rest in peace my fellow pakistani.....
We will miss your research contribution...
@ali: He came back 02 days ago from USA and had no land and almost all of his family is abroad with him. So it is neither land nor family dispute and was purely due to his faith.
@Syeda KAzmi: Incorrect arguement madam. Open your eyes, the pious muslims in Pakistan are killing minorities and you not ready to accept this fact.
Protecting minorities, Pakistani style.
Ms. Kazmi, can you please read the complete sentence. It says "allegedly", also how come you know, it could be this or that. Anyhow keep on playing with fire till it reaches to you. Learn from "Geo" which was all busy spreading hate and now enjoying being at receiving end.
@Syeda KAzmi:
Exactly - we are liberal minded nation and not a single incident of killing in the name of religion has happened in Pakistan. There is nothing like religious extremism in Pakistan. Temples, churches and Ahmadiyya places of worshio were attacked in past jsut to grab the property.
Gents it is a hate crime pure and simple. Lets not forget that this is not the first such incident. I am sure doctors are going to think long and hard before coming to Pakistan. Regards,
Nice. And some says Muslim's in India are unsafe.he he
May his soul rest in peace...He came here for research work and see what we have done with him... Religious violence is something that is breaking Pakistan's roots. I am imagining, there wont be any qualified doctors who would like to come to pakistan for to help us..
Allama Iqbal truly said... you cannot reform a country if you cannot reform yourself..
@ali: If you cannot or dont't want to condemn this religious hate crime - then spare us with your guess work !!!!
A member of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was shot dead in Chenab Nagar on Monday allegedly because of his faith
ET how in the world you assumed that he was targeted due to his faith?? Agree with ali.. it could be a personal enmity...
@ET its Tahir Heart Institute
........and the effect of he 1.5 billion is still strong.
@ali Yes all options should be kept in mind while investigating but Rabwa region is known for such killings and many Ahmedis have been gunned down in the past in the same region. Since Rabwah is the hub of Ahmedis in Pakistan so many fanatics know this place very well and Government of Punjab dont allow them to make a gated community for Minorities ( Even tough Gated Communities in DHA Are allowed ) so this region is open to everyone to come and go. :
Correction: 'Tahrir Cardiac Hospital' is incorrect, it should be 'Tahir Heart Institute'
May Allah bless his soul.
Brutality with the family. Allah will ask some day . Rest in peace dear Doc.SB. Pakistani Soil will miss you .
non Ahmadis hardly ever go to rabwa. It looks like a family dispute.
very sad indeed. he was a cardia surgeon and then people in Pakistan say why can't we do cardiac transplant here.
Could be family dispute or land dispute Its common there