Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Monthly Newsreport — March, 2009 Ahmadiyya persecution in Pakistan

---Monthly Newsreport — March, 2009
The four Ahmadi school children and one adult booked on a faux charge of blasphemy in district Layyah on January 28, 2009 remain incarcerated ten weeks after their arrest. The accusation was made by a fanatic belonging to an organization, banned for terrorism, and was supported by a local politician. The senior politicians and administration officials who are catering to the sensitivities of religious extremists are following the same faulty logic that eventually led to empowering men like Fazlullah in Swat and Baitullah in Fata. Their comrades are now venturing further eastward in the western Punjab, and the government is yielding its writ.
Brutal murder of two Ahmadi doctors in Multan

Multan: We regret to report the horrific murder of an Ahmadi couple, both doctors, at their residence in Wapda Colony, Multan, on the afternoon of March 14, 2009. Both were tortured and suffocated by the assailants. The deceased Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa was 37, while his wife Dr Noreen Bajwa was 29.

On the day of the incident the couple returned home at about 2:45 p.m. They resided in Wapda Colony which otherwise is a well-protected residential area, gated community. About an hour later, their maid reportedly found them murdered, and told the security staff.

Dr Shiraz BajwaThe body of Dr Shiraz Bajwa was found lying in the bedroom, hands tied behind his back, mouth gagged, blindfolded, and with visible marks of strangulation. The body of Dr Noreen Bajwa was found in the living room, hands tied behind her back, mouth gagged, blind folded and bleeding from the nose.

Dr Shiraz was an eye-specialist who had worked at many hospitals including the Fazle Umar Hospital at Rabwah, a charitable institution of Ahmadiyya Community. Dr Noreen worked at a children’s hospital. Both of them had excellent academic and professional careers and enjoyed good reputations. Both were popular among their colleagues. Although they had been receiving threats for some time due to their being Ahmadi, neither of them ever reacted to the provocation.

The tragedy is heightened further by the fact that Bajwas were expecting their first child. Nothing was stolen from their home. All cash, jewelry and other valuables belonging to the couple remained untouched. The assailants were blinded apparently by hate and malice to commit this senseless act. Multan is a headquarters town of an anti-Ahmadi organization. They make no secret of their ill-will and hatred on sectarian grounds. It is also the centre of intense anti-Ahmadi propaganda and inciteful publications. Last year they mounted a major effort to deprive Ahmadis of their prayer centre. The administration and the police responded with great care and feebleness to their challenge to Ahmadis’ freedom of faith and worship.

Recently the authorities issued a warning to all concerned that sectarian and militant elements had prepared a long hit-list of Ahmadiyya locations and personalities. These attacks had picked up in frequency and gravity in recent weeks. Thus all available evidence clearly demonstrates that this was a case of targeted murder. Both of the deceased were killed because they were Ahmadis.

The police are investigating the case. Senior police officers visited the site. Pakistani police have a reputation to trace such murders that leave a trail of ample evidence behind, provided they are encouraged to reach the source, and political considerations are not allowed to hinder the investigative process.

Ahmadi lady teacher booked under Anti-terrorism Act

Jodhala, District Sialkot; March 5, 2009: Ms Bushra Naheed, a teacher at Government Girls High School, Jodhala was booked with FIR No. 71/09 at police station Badiana on March 5, 2009 under PPC 295/A, a clause cognizable under the Anti-Terrorism Act. If declared guilty, she could be imprisoned for 10 years.

According to the accuser, Haleeman Bibi, Ms Naheed allegedly asked two sweepers to dunk Haleeman in a gutter to wash away her sins. This remark, even if true, was not acted upon. Haleeman, however, got in contact with mullas, and reported the matter to the police and the school administration. The police booked the accused under the inapplicable PPC 295-A. The Education Officer found it convenient to suspend the teacher from her job.

This is yet another case, where an Ahmadi has been persecuted by both the authorities and mullas. Obviously the political leadership has not impressed sufficiently upon the bureaucracy to keep the mulla away from manipulating state institutions in support of extremist and sectarian elements, or, the officials understand the official policy to be lukewarm to the problem of religious extremism. Whatever the reason, Ahmadis remain exposed to the tyranny of the state through the mulla.

Ninety-eight Ahmadis have been booked to-date under the PPC 295-A that is cognizable under the Anti-terrorism Act. It is the irony and perfidy of official conduct that the Antiterrorism Act is used as a tool to terrorize innocent citizens. The judiciary has a long way to go from its recently earned ‘freedom’ to persuade the administration to be a partner in providing justice to the people, especially those persecuted.

Fifteen Ahmadis charged under Ahmadi-specific law

Sillanwali, Sargodha; March 4, 2009: A police case vides FIR 69/09 has been registered on March 4, 2009 against fifteen Ahmadis at Sillanwali police station in District Sargodha, Punjab. The Ahmadis were charged under Section 298C of the Pakistan Penal Code which is specifically an anti-Ahmadiyya piece of legislation. The accused were charged with having a place of worship, “Which they call a Mosque and use to offer Friday prayers and Eid prayers therein”. Furthermore, they were charged with ‘posing’ as Muslims under the aforementioned Penal Code. Three persons, Mr. Abdul Aziz, Mr. Muhammad Ashraf and Mr. Khizar Hayat were arrested and police raids were conducted to arrest the remaining persons.

The background to this incident is that an Ahmadi in Sillanwali, Mr. Khan Muhammad owns a few shops adjacent to the Ahmadiyya centre, Baitul Zikr. A non-Ahmadi desired to hire these shops; however the owner refused this request for his own reasons. Thereafter the non-Ahmadi met with a local mulla, and they conspired to fabricate a story in order to register a case against the local Ahmadis. The complainant in this case is Maulvi Mushtaq.

These discriminatory laws are a tool for religious extremists whose only wish is to deny Ahmadis the right to practice their religion peacefully. The community is trying hard to secure the release of the three Ahmadis and have the charges dropped. At first step the local judge refused to accept the plea for bail. On 12th March an appeal for the bail was lodged in the Sessions Court at Sargodha. On 28th March the three detainees were released on bail. A plea for ‘bail before arrest’ for the remaining 12 Ahmadis is in process.

Mala fide application of this bad law continues unabated.

Another Ahmadi charged under PPCs 298-B, C

Rabwah; March 4, 2009: An FIR was lodged against Muhammad Nawaz at the City Police Station Chiniot on March 4, 2009 under PPCs 298-B, 298-C. He was accused of preaching to a man named Muhammad Latif. If declared ‘guilty’, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz could be imprisoned for three years.

Rejection of bails by higher courts

Dr. Asghar, Ahmadi, of Chak 4 Bhagwanpura, District Nankana was arrested in June last year on a fabricated charge of blasphemy. Someone had torn away anti-Ahmadi posters that supported ‘end of prophethood’. Clerics accused Dr Asghar and the police conveniently arrested him. Subsequent police inquiry found him innocent. But in the meantime, a mulla was killed by someone, and the police retained Dr Asghar in custody on suspicion of involvement in the murder. Later, however, the police located the real murderers. Nevertheless, at this stage, the judiciary came to uphold the mulla’s wishes, and first the session’s judge refused to grant him the bail, and then on appeal the Lahore High Court also rejected his plea for bail. The poor doctor is a hostage now to the whims of the judges who tend to cater for the sensitivities and wishes of the mulla.

Dr Asghar had to apply to the Supreme Court for the granting of bail. What a system in which one is exposed to penalty of death for alleged tearing of a poster, and then having to approach the Supreme Court for release on bail! On April 2, 2009, a Supreme Court judge rejected his plea for bail and ordered that the case be decided within a month. It is a loaded and pointed signal to the trial judge. (For background essentials of this case please refer to page 3 of the News Report, January 2009)

Similarly Messrs Rana Khalil Ahmad and Rashid Iqbal of Kunri who are also accused of blasphemy and remain behind bars while their plea for bail has been rejected by the Session’s Court. They have now applied to the High Court for bail.

For these victims it is a nightmare from hell.

Abduction for a more serious crime

Nabisar Road, District Umar Kot, Sindh: Qamar Ahmad, a young Ahmadi gentleman was confronted by two men in the vicinity of his home at about 21:30 on March 16, 2009. They forced him into their vehicle, blindfolded him and drove him out a few kilometers. There they told him to telephone Dr Naseer Ahmad, the local Ahmadiyya community president, to immediately come out of his house as a bomb had been placed therein. Qamar told them that he did not have his phone number. Then they told him to telephone Salam, who is the head of the local Ahmadiyya Youth Association, to come there to help him as he was stranded because of an accident. Qamar told them that he did not have his phone number either. Then they told him to phone his own brother and tell him to come there immediately otherwise they would kill him. Qamar telephoned his brother accordingly, however nobody came. They tied his hands and feet, tortured him and left him on the roadside. Much later, four Ahmadi youth arrived at the location and found him there unconscious. He had a rope around his neck. They took him to the hospital where two days later he was allowed to go home.

The abduction was reported to the police. They registered an FIR. However, their halfhearted investigation has not been fruitful. Here is a case that deserves attention; otherwise the involved criminals are set upon committing murder of a notable Ahmadi.

Mr. Qamar Ahmad is 26. He is married and is father of a daughter. He owns some land that he cultivates for a living.

Abduction of an Ahmadi community official

Peshawar; April 1, 2009: Mr. Bashir Ahmad Advocate, President of the local Ahmadiyya community, Achini Payan, near Peshawar was abducted at about 08:30. He, accompanied by his son, was driving to the courts when a gang stopped them, and forcibly took away Mr. Bashir Ahmad. They left behind his son and car. They fired in the air at the time of the incident. The police are investigating.

Grave threat to another Ahmadi doctor

Nabisar Road; March 4, 2009: Mr. Naseer Ahmad Zahid is a homeopathic doctor (DHMS), who is a resident of Nabisar Road. He has a clinic close to his house, where he serves the locals. He received threats on his cell-phone that told him to quit Qadianiat or leave the area.

His two sons were studying in a public school in Mirpur Khas and lived in the hostel. They also received letters that threatened them with serious harm. A letter to the doctor is translated below:
Doctor Naseer Ahmad
Take this small note seriously; do not take it as a hollow threat. We know everything about you. Your two sons are studying in Public School Mir Pur Khas. Cooperate with us otherwise we’ll abduct your children. Your house is in Scheme 2, and you have a show room. If you don’t agree then leave Nabisar Road.
Hurry to cooperate with us.
Don’t take it as a hollow threat.
Two suspects came to his clinic two days after the martyrdom of Mr. Abdul Mannan Siddique Mirpur Khas in September last year. Dr. Zahid had gone to attend Dr Mannan’s funeral ceremony. On the third day they visited again, but he was away at Nawab Shah to condole the martyrdom of another prominent Ahmadi, Saith Muhammad Yousuf. Dr Zahid uses a spare airconditioned room as a clinic. On both occasions, the visiting potential felons came straight to this room without asking permission, and not finding him there returned in haste. The staff tried to ask them the purpose of their visit but they did not reply.

On the night of March 1, a man approached the door of his clinic at about 00:40. He demanded loudly that the door be opened, posing that he wanted to get his blood pressure checked. The staff, not recognizing him, told him that the doctor was not available. Dr. Zahid had a heart by-pass operation a few months ago. The visitor hit the door and forcibly opened it. He intruded inside and was harsh with the staff, used invectives, and insisted that the doctor be called. He pulled the assistant outside and took out a pistol. Luckily a woman patient was admitted that night and her relatives were also present in the clinic. They came out hearing the loud voices. Outside, they saw a black 2-D car. The visitor addressed the persons in the car in Pushto language, and they came out carrying Kalashnikov rifles, while one remained in the driving seat. After a brief exchange in Sindhi the three intruders departed hurriedly.

It is reasonable to assume that Dr. Zahid is lucky to have survived these attempts; otherwise there is high probability that by now he would have been on the list of Ahmadi martyrs.

Hostile activities in Khushab

Khushab, March 16, 2009:
Hostile activities against the Ahmadiyya community in Khushab have increased recently. A community official conveyed on telephone that non-Ahmadis had planned a procession against Ahmadis in Chak No. 39-DB, which was to be led by maulavis. The mullas could not arrive on time, so their plans to take out a procession did not materialize.

Rana Rafiq Ahmad, an Ahmadi received threats on his cell-phone from some unknown person. He received these threats from phone no. 0302-5601443. The caller threatened him that as he had been preaching, he should leave Khushab forthwith.

On the evening of 15th March a Nabuwwat Conference was held in the main mosque of Mittha Tawana in Khushab district. Some mullas came from Karachi to participate in it. Mullas Abu Bakr Madni and Orang Zaib Farooqi were prominent among the speakers who addressed the audience. At the occasion of 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, speeches were made against Ahmadis and anti-Ahmadiyya literature was distributed in several parts of Khushab.

Propaganda against the Ahmadiyya community in Okara

Okara; March 8, 2009: Hate propaganda against the community intensified in Okara this month. As a result, communal tensions appeared in Mandi Ahmadabad and Chak 36/2L. Mullas came over from Lahore, made hateful speeches against the community in close vicinity of business owned by an Ahmadi, Mr. Ikram Ahmad. He has an electrician’s shop at the bus stop of 36/2L. They also made hate speeches in the assembly of a local school and urged non-Ahmadis to boycott Ahmadis. The local people thereafter boycotted this Ahmadi family. In Mandi Ahmadabad some shopkeepers have told Ahmadis in writing not to come to their shops. Ahmadis have reported the situation to the authorities.

Hostility in Umar Kot, Sindh

Umerkot; March 5, 2009: A number of Ahmadis have been murdered in Sindh in recent months for their faith. However, it is learnt that many more are on the hit-list. An Ahmadi was informed by a non-Ahmadi friend that after the murder of Dr. Abdul Mannan Siddique, the president of the district community of Mir Pur Khas, two more names inter alia are on the local hit-list:
  1. Mr. Nasir Ahmad Wahla, President of the Umar Kot District community
  2. Dr. Naseer Ahmad Zahid, local president of the community in Nabisar Road, Umar Kot
The informer is a member of a local anti-Ahmadi organization.

Application of the Blasphemy law!

Ghazi Khan, District Mir Pur Khas, Sindh: An Ahmadi was driving his tractor trolley (used by farmers) when he inadvertently touched a roadside signboard. The sign board was damaged, as a result. Unfortunately, the board had a Quranic verse written on it. Here was a welcome opportunity for the mulla to make mischief. He hurried to the police station for a follow-up. At the police station a few mullas, along with a few other people demanded that a case be registered against the Ahmadi under the blasphemy law. The police visited the site and sent for the Ahmadi driver and owner of the vehicle to explain. They let them off after initial investigation.

The mulla however is threatening agitation and processions and is demanding registration of a criminal case of blasphemy. The situation remains tense.

Update on rocket attack on an Ahmadi-owned industrial plant

Mandi Bahauddin: Last month’s report included mention of a rocket attack on Shahtaj Sugar Mill. An anti-Ahmadi group fired four rockets on February 14, 2009 at the industrial plant from outside the Mill’s boundary. The police and security agencies have followed-up with their investigations.

Although the details of the finding are not known, it is learnt that a criminal gang, motivated by religious zeal are operating in the area, and are targeting Ahmadiyya properties and persons. Members of this gang visit the FATA for acquiring explosives and weapons, but operate out of safe havens in districts Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala etc. They have plans to attack Dr Raja Masud who was an eye-witness to the attack on Ahmadi-worshipper at the Mong mosque in 2005 that resulted in eight deaths and 20 injured. Members of this gang were arrested by the police subsequently, but an Anti-terrorism judge declared them ‘Not-guilty’ and set them free. This group is reportedly active now against fresh targets.

Jamiat Ahle Hadith promotes sectarian strife

A recent hand-bill, distributed widely in District Layyah, unabashedly attacks the Ahmadiyya community and promotes communal hatred and agitation. It is published with the approval of the Nazim Taba Talif of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan, and is distributed by the propaganda section of the District Layyah branch. Layyah is the district where for a few weeks an intensive anti-Ahmadiyya agitation was undertaken and four Ahmadi school children were arrested on trumped up charge of blasphemy. They still remain behind bars.

The hand bill is full of slander and false accusations. It quotes agitators likes Shorash Kashmiri and Ehsan Ilahi Zaheer to support the oft-repeated fabrication that the holy founder of Ahmadiyyat was planted by the British. The language of the pamphlet is provocative.

The author claims credit for Ahle Hadith mullas of the 19th century that they were the first to declare the founder of Ahmadiyyat as Kafir. It mentions: Leaders and members of Ahle Hadith, under the guidance of the Respected Amir, Professor Sajid Mir, are ever exerting themselves in battle against false ideas and dictatorial powers. The respected Amir has declared Year 2008 as the year of End of Prophethood.”

Ahle Hadith organizations in Pakistan are reputed to get financial support from Saudi Arabia.

Anti-Ahmadi sectarian agitation at various locations

Apart from the incidents mentioned above, mulla elsewhere kept up sectarian activities. Reports received from a few other towns are summarized below:

Hafizabad (Punjab)

Mr. Muhammad Ashraf, an Ahmadi teacher of Chak Chattha was contacted by the local police inspector and advised to take greater care of his personal security. A few days later, officials of the secret police met him and told him to remain vigilant and take care as there was significant threat to his life. A few hours later, agents of a federal agency contacted him and repeated the same warning. A few days later an official of the Special Police collected essential information about Mr. Ashraf. This activity is welcome on the part of the police and agencies, but it is for consideration that effective action against the source of threat would surely be more useful and consequential. It is not far-fetched to suggest that the source is known to the authorities.

Mr. Ashraf’s family is under great stress. He has taken leave from his job for some days to avoid public appearances.

Islamabad


Mr. Sajid Qamar, an Ahmadi has a tailoring shop in Islamabad. In his absence, his helper took out Mr. Qamar’s book, written by the founder of the community, from his draws and started reading it. At that time a customer, with the appearance of a mulla, entered the shop and noticed the book. He made further inquiries about the proprietor of the shop, and returned later with two more of his colleagues. These three behaved most rudely towards Mr. Qamar and threatened further ‘suitable’ action. Mr. Qamar is worried, and informed his father who advised him to remain calm and turn to prayers.

Faisalabad

An organized anti-Ahmadi agitation is going on for weeks in the National Textile University Faisalabad. The agitation is supervised by some mullas who are invited to speak to the audience in the University. They used slander and foul language against Ahmadi leaders, and issue edicts of death etc.

Ahmadis have complained to the university authorities a number of times, but without relief.

Chak No.5, district Nankana

A mulla Badi uz Zaman of Marh Blochan has made it a routine to come to this Chak and maintain a sectarian anti-Ahmadi drive. His foul and fiery language has disturbed the peace of the village. Some of the locals support him. He is urging the villagers to implement a social boycott of Ahmadis.

Okara

Okara city is also affected by the ongoing sectarian drive. They have targeted schools, colleges and business centers for distribution of provocative literature and leaflets. Ahmadi community officials have received threats on telephone. Authorities have been informed of these incidents.

Last month, photo of a local Ahmadi leader was found in possession of a Khatme Nabuwwat organization worker. It was learnt that they have a collection of such photos. The DPO Okara has been formally informed. He promised action and reportedly one person was detained for investigation. The result of the inquiry is not known.

Ahmadis have been urged to remain on guard and look after their personal security.

Nabisar Road, District Umar Kot

In addition to the repeated attempts against the life of the president of the local Ahmadi community, and abduction of an Ahmadi youth (mentioned above in this Report) the extremist elements held a large open-air conference against the Ahmadiyya community. The speakers used plenty of foul language against the community and agitated the participants greatly with sectarian propaganda. The already tense communal situation has grown significantly worse. The authorities need to be mindful of their duty to restore communal peace through the needed disciplining of the leaders of this agitation.

Bahawalpur

Vigilantes of the local Khatme Nabuwwat organization have undertaken widespread distribution of a booklet “Ishq-e-Mustafa aur Hamari Zummadari" i.e. Love of the Holy prophet and Our Responsibility. The tract is published by the Aalmi Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat, address: Huzuri Bagh Road Multan; phone: 061-4583486 and 061-4514122.

The tract is addressed on its title page as: A message worthy of consideration by the crazies and moths of the Glorious Mentor, Khataman Nabiyyeen (P.B.U.H.). It has been distributed in homes, major markets and general stores. It has disturbed the sectarian peace of the town that is an important center in the southern Punjab that is receiving repeated mention as the next hotbed of terrorists.

The daily Dawn of June 28, 2008 reported months ago: In a high level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by COAS among others, “The participants were unanimous in concluding that terrorism and extremism are the greatest challenge to Pakistan’s national security.” If that is so, the producers and distributors of the hate-promoting pamphlets like the one mentioned above deserve to be disciplined. Mere press statements, and no action, are a recipe for steady loss of state authority.

Karachi

Non-Ahmadis took out a procession at the occasion of Eid Milad on March 9 in An-Noor Society. When the procession arrived in front of the Ahmadiyya place of worship, they indulged in shouting provocative slogans. A night before they undertook anti-Ahmadiyya wall-chalking at the same location.

Sargodha

Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat organized a Tahaffuz Namus Rasalat Rally i.e. rally to protect the honour of the Prophet, on March 23, 2009. These people indulged in intensive anti-Ahmadiyya slogan-raising, and made fiery speeches. They callously promoted sectarian hatred and strife in the fair name of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Fifty-five years ago, the prestigious and historical Report of the Court of Inquiry constituted under the Punjab Act of 1954 to enquire into the Punjab Disturbances of 1953 brought on record the police assessment of the conduct of anti-Ahmadi elements: “Their outward object is to denounce Ahmadis, their Khalifa and Sir Zafrullah Khan but their inward object is to create disorder and lawlessness in our country.” That Report should be read by the present-day political leaders and government officials; they will find it greatly useful in tackling the current problems in Pakistan. It was recently published again by the Nia Zamana Publications and is available in the market. In fact this Report should be on the list of Required Reading in the Civil Service Academy.

Khanewal

A three-day Khatme Nabuwwat Conference was held on 25-27 March in the city. Anti-Ahmadiyya banners were put up. The speakers made hateful speeches full of slander. They distributed abusive literature, and the participants shouted slogans.

Layyah

The opponents distributed anti-Ahmadiyya literature to maintain sectarian tensions alive in Layyah district. This is where two months ago they agitated to get four Ahmadi school children booked on false charge of blasphemy. The children are still behind bars.

District Narowal

The mulla organized distribution of anti-Ahmadiyya literature in the town of Zafarwal. The Pamphlets were titled:
  1. Qadianiat ke bhianik roop i.e. Deadly appearances of Ahmadiyyat
  2. Kash ham bhi bedar hon i.e. May we wake up too.
Multan

A Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat Conference was held in Multan. The mullas made provocative speeches and distributed hate literature at the occasion. This is the city where only a few days earlier an Ahmadi couple had been brutally murdered.

Rabwah allowed to be targeted

Anti-Ahmadiyya gatherings were held and processions taken out in the garb of Eid Milad, 12 Rabiul Awwal with the permission of authorities on March 10, 2009. Three major processions were taken out. Mullas addressed the participants and used, as usual, the most foul language against the Ahmadiyya community and its leaders. They demanded that:
  1. Penalty for Apostasy (death) should be enforced.
  2. Ahmadiyya periodicals should be banned.
  3. The Ahmadiyya TV channel MTA should be banned in Pakistan.
  4. Ahmadis should be removed from key posts.
    (Note: Some years ago the Chief Minister of the Punjab, in reply to a question in the Provisional Assembly, said: “Only 12 Ahmadis were given appointments, as clerks and peons only, during 13 years period commencing from July 1977 to the end of November 1983.”)
  5. The dogma of End of Prophethood should be made a part of state school syllabus.
  6. Qadianis’ places of worship should be made to look different than mosques.
  7. The anti-Ahmadi Ordinance should be enforced with great vigilance.
The next day a van that was transporting 27 Rabwah girls from their colleges in Chiniot was attacked by a group of mullas near the Muslim Colony. They pelted stones and bricks at the van. The incident was reported to the police who have shown no visible follow-up.

A few days earlier, on March 6, Ms. Amatul Bari from Germany visited the local grave yard, Bahishti Maqbarah for Divine supplication. While there, some religious lunatic targeted her with a brick from the boundary wall on the side of Masjid Bukhari where mulla Allah Yar Arshad has his office. The lady was injured. The incident was reported to the police who have apparently filed it. This is not the first occasion that the miscreants have attacked the graveyard and its visitors. When the source of mischief is so apparent, it is odd that the police should find it difficult to enforce law.

Rabwah is mentioned in the press

The daily Jang, Lahore in its issue of March 23, 2009 entered the following report:
Most of Chenab Nagar remained sans water on the International Day of Water
Chenab Nagar: (Correspondent) The town council attributed it all to the electric load-shedding. The major project of supply of water to the needy is pending completion. This entire project was extended at a cost of millions; the concerned departments have kept the residents of Chenab Nagar deprived of water. In summer months, the need increases four fold, but for the last many years, residents here have to fret for drops of water. They either have to buy water (from private sources) or consume the brackish water.
Asian Human Rights Commission takes notice of Ahmadiyya plight in Pakistan

Lahore: AHRC took serious notice of worsening Ahmadis’ human rights situation in the country, and expressed its condemnation of specified incidents. A report published in the Daily Times of March 20, 2009 is reproduced below verbatim:
AHRC condemns arbitrary arrests of Ahmadis

Commission references recent events of murdered couple, arrested men Lahore: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Thursday condemned the ease with which a member of the Ahmadi sect could be arbitrarily arrested, based on hearsay evidence from an openly biased party.

Referencing two recent events in which an Ahmadi couple was found murdered and 15 men were arrested for gathering at a place of worship that resembles a mosque, the AHRC said these events highlighted the intense discrimination experienced by most minorities in Pakistan. It noted that it was very easy to file cases of blasphemy against most minorities.

In the first cases, the AHRC noted, 15 prominent Ahmadi men in Sillanwali tehsil, Sargodha district, were charged under Section 298C of the Pakistan Penal Code, an amendment that applies only to Ahmadis and carries up to three years in jail. Three of the men have been detained so far and denied bail by a local judge. The amendment to Section 298 claims that Ahmadis should not pose as Muslims, call themselves Muslim, “or in any manner whatsoever outrage the religious feelings of Muslims”.

Protect: According to the AHRC, the 15 men in Sargodha can expect little help from the police. Rather than allowing this discrimination and violent persecution to continue, the commission added, the government must recognize the right to life of every Pakistani, and start protecting and compensating those it has helped to make vulnerable through such amendments as Section 298C. In the second incident reference by the AHRC, a prominent Ahmadi couple was found murdered in their apartment in Wapda Colony, Multan Rd, approximately three months after they started to receive anonymous death threats. The threats warned them against practicing their religion, but their family advised them against taking the case to the police, claiming this would make them more vulnerable. The family is currently fearful about following through with the murder case.

According to the commission, more than a (!) Ahmadis are estimated to be in Pakistan’s jails on charges of blasphemy, which carries the death penalty. It claims that many of these convictions are a part of personal vendettas or land disputes. The commission also points out that over the past 24 years, at least 100 Ahmadis have been lynched and murdered; 18 of them doctors.
Federal Ministry of Interior's commendable initial action

Islamabad; March 13, 2009: The Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan issued a letter F.No.2/1/2009-Poll-I (2) dated March 13, 2009 to the Home Secretaries and Provincial Police Officers of the Punjab, Sindh and NWFP. The letter lists numerous recent anti-Ahmadiyya incidents at various locations in the three provinces and directs in the concluding paragraph:

It is requested that the enclosed copies of reports containing full script of stories about the above said incidents may be looked into, action taken against the miscreants criminals and detailed reports (on each incident) may be furnished to this Ministry, so that concerned quarters are informed accordingly as these incidents are showing an ugly picture of our un-tolerant society in different parts of the world.

This letter is excellent as an initial order. It is unambiguous regarding the attitude of the federal government. If the provincial authorities needed any clear directive for follow-up action, they have got it. The purpose of the whole exercise however is action on the ground where human rights violations have taken place. These reports are still pending. As a sample case, the four school children and an adult arrested on fabricated accusation of blasphemy continue to remain behind bars even four weeks after the issue of this pressing letter. Four weeks is a long time even for the Punjab Police. No policy can succeed against extremism and terrorism unless all the federating units pull together as directed by the coxswain.

A concluding observation on significant increase in anti-Ahmadi activities

This monthly report, like the previous reports shows a significant increase in recent months in criminal attacks on Ahmadis and violations of their human rights. These attacks have resulted in murders, injuries, attacks on Ahmadiyya properties, registration of police cases, arrests, denials of bail etc. However, all this is no surprise, as it was planned as such and declared in public, in print media.

The daily Pakistan, Lahore of October 14, 2008 published a news item under a threecolumn headline, reporting the schedule of a multi-party anti-Ahmadiyya planning meeting at Lahore on October 19, 2008. The story mentioned that the meeting had been called by a. Zahid ur Rashidi of Pakistan Sharia Council, b. Mulla Ilyas Chinioti, the Amir of International Khatme Nabuwwat Movement, and c. Abdul Latif Khalid Cheema of Majlis Ahrar Islam. The invitees were: Jamiat Ulama Islam, Jamaat Islami, the banned Millat Islamia (former SSP), Jamiat Ulama Pakistan, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Jamaat Al-Da’wa Pakistan (the banned Lashkar Taiba), Khaksar Tehrik, Pakistan Shariat Council, International Khatme Nabuwwat Movement and Majlis Ahrar Islam.

It may be noted that:
  • Parties that are officially banned for their terrorist activities were also invited.
  • All the invited groups favour the Taliban and the on-going militancy.
  • All the invited groups thrive on sectarian activities and do not shun violence.
  • Almost all are funded from dubious sources.
All the above is public knowledge; its details are better known to the federal and provincial governments. The organizers’ names are printed in the newspapers. The planned meeting has borne its bitter fruit month after month. This and earlier monthly reports list the criminal anti-Ahmadi activities in essential detail. If the authorities genuinely believe that extremism and sectarianism is an existential threat to the country, why do they not take action against these known perpetrators of harm? Why some of the authorities become a party to and a tool in their nefarious drive?

Ahmadis behind bars
  1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the sixth year of his imprisonment.
  2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs, Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death cell at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. These innocent are now in the sixth year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
  3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy in June 2008. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent. Subsequently his plea for bail has been rejected by the High Court – and the Supreme Court.
  4. Rana Khalil Ahmad, an elderly and disabled gentleman, is detained for allegedly writing a letter to a cleric.
  5. Mr. Rashid Iqbal is facing a fabricated accusation under the blasphemy law. He was arrested and refused release on bail.
  6. Four school-going children and Mr. Mubashir Ahmad were charged in Layyah for blasphemy on 28th January, 2009 and put behind bars without any initial inquiry or witnesses.
From the press

Brutal murder of Qadiani doctors, man and wife, at Multan
The daily Aajkal, Lahore; March 17, 2009
Silanwali: 11 Qadiani booked for objectionable activities
The daily Din, Lahore; March 6, 2009
CASE REGISTERED AGAINST QADIANI LADY TEACHER
The daily Pakistan, Lahore; March 9, 2009
AHRC condemns arbitrary arrests of Ahmadis. Commission reference recent events of murdered couple, arrested men.
The Daily Times, Lahore; March 17, 2009
The US intends to destroy Pakistan at the excuse of so-called terrorism. — Munawwar Hasan (JI)
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; March 20, 2009
Jihad should be waged against Qadianis and those who undertake drone attacks. — (Mulla) Ilyas Chinioti
The daily Jinnah, Lahore; March 15, 2009
Militants torch 30 Nato vehicles
The daily Dawn, Lahore; March 17, 2009
Qadianis should be removed from key-posts. If the rulers want national security, they should reject American hold. — Khatme Nabuwwat Conference (at Chiniot)
Farid Ahmad Piracha (of JI) stated that Jamaat Islami fully supports the demands of Majlis Ahrar Islam and Tehrik Khatme Nabuwwat to safeguard the dogma of the End of Prophethood.
The daily Nawa-e-Waqt, Lahore; March 12, 2009
Qadiani hoard is deadly poison for the country — Alam Tariq
If the rulers had honestly implemented the 1974 Resolution, we would have gotten rid of Qadiyaniat. Ulama address the Conference (at Chiniot)
The daily Pakistan, Lahore; March 1, 2009
(Note: Mulla Alam Tariq is a leader of the banned SSP)

Blasting of Chiniot and Chenab Nagar hills should be stopped. — Chaudhri Boota
The daily Waqt, Lahore; March 15, 2009
Bomber wreaks havoc at packed mosque. 60 worshippers dead; 100 wounded in Jamrud
The daily Nation; Lahore; March 28, 2009
Taliban shoot dead 14 abducted soldiers
The daily Nation, Lahore; March 9, 2009
3/3 assailants attack Lankan cricket team; kill 6 cops & one civilian in 25-minute gun battle.
The Daily Times, Lahore
Taliban blow up 17th century Sufi shrine in Peshawar
The Daily Times, Lahore; March 6, 2009
The entire country will be aflame if the government does not practically implement Shariah. — Maulana Sufi Muhammad (TNSM)
The daily Jinnah, Lahore; March 14, 2009
Lahore siege drama over
8 including 7 recruits killed in shootout; 93 trainees injured in 8-hour-long gunfight as 7 terrorist attack police training centre in city.
The daily News, Lahore; March 31, 2009
Swat: Taliban ban women to visit bazaars. Only news channels on (TV) cable.
The daily Express, Lahore; March 30, 2009
Taliban order NGOs to leave Swat
The Daily Times, Lahore; March 23, 2009
NWFP govt asks Swat judges not to attend courts over security concerns.
The Daily Times, Lahore; March 19, 2009
I shall sacrifice all for Sharif Brothers — (Mulla) Ilyas Chinioti
The daily Jang, Lahore; March 02, 2009
Gilani restores CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry, sacked judges: March triumphs, Justice gets justice
Aitzaz and Nawaz end Long March: Sanaullah
Daily Times – Site Edition; March 16, 2009
CJ vows to make judiciary corruption-free
The daily Nation, Lahore; March 25, 2009
NWFP CM signs Nizam-e-Adle Regulation Shariah law from 16th.
The daily Nation, Lahore; Mar 10, 2009

Op-eds

Tragedy in Lahore
The obscurantists must be tackled head on if we are to entertain any hope of redemption. If the state resorts to negotiating with militants from a position of weakness, what we will get is a disaster, across the board. The politicians need to wake-up, burry the hatchet in the national good and rout the real enemy.
Editorial, the daily Dawn; March 4, 2009

Whither dream of Pakistan
Most lyrical of the columnists Irfan Siddiqui wrote in Jang “Where is that landscape whose dream was seen by those who witnessed their children being skewered by lances, their daughters and sisters becoming victims of the lust of human animals, and saw the blood of their elders irrigate the highways? Where is Pakistan after 62 years of its formation? Democracy is a circus spectacle, constitution the torn garment of the indigent, law the nose of wax to be reshaped by the strong, the judiciary a cathouse of those without honour, justice a saleable commodity, parliament a gathering of the thoughtless, administration a clutch of alligators, government of men who worship the stomach under an order of the avaricious.
Nuggets in The Friday Times of April 3, 2009

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

MAIS forbids Ahmadiyya worship

---The Nut Graph, Malaysia

MAIS forbids Ahmadiyya worship
28 Apr 09 : 7.55PM

By Shanon Shah
shanonshah at thenutgraph dot com

PETALING JAYA, 28 Apr 2009: The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has forbidden the Ahmadiyya Muslim sect to perform Friday prayers at their mosque with immediate effect.

In a letter to the Ahmadiyya dated 24 Apr 2009 made available to The Nut Graph, MAIS said, “If [the Ahmadiyya] fail to comply with, defy or neglect the directive, the council will take legal action without any notice.”

In a statement, Ahmadiyya spokesperson Ainul Yakin Muhd Zain said, “We … feel deeply hurt and aggrieved at this unjust action to deny us our right to perform our religious obligations.”

MAIS issued its directive on the grounds that the Ahmadiyya mosque did not get the council’s approval first.

In December 2008, Selangor religious exco Datuk Dr Hassan Ali said that he was willing to negotiate with the Ahmadiyya community over seizure of land which they used for their mosque.

PAS Shah Alam chief and Member of Parliament Khalid Samad elaborated to The Nut Graph over the phone: “We should engage and discuss with the Ahmadiyya to understand their perspective.”

According to Ainul, however, no such dialogue has taken place between Hassan and the Ahmadiyya community.

“Besides, he is only willing to talk about the issue of land, not the issue of our aqidah (belief system),” Ainul said in a phone interview today.

“The way the Pakatan Rakyat government is treating us is the same as how the Barisan Nasional treated us,” Ainul added.

The Nut Graph was unable to reach Hassan, but Khalid said it was important to clarify the Ahmadiyya sect’s status.

“There are 1,001 religions in the world, so if they declare themselves non-Muslim, then the solution is easy for us,” he said.

“The problem is if they insist that they are still Muslims,” he noted.

However, Ainul said, “It is … incomprehensible to us that we are subjected to this kind of treatment, as firstly we have been declared non-Muslims.”

In 1975, the Selangor Fatwa Council issued a fatwa declaring the Ahmadiyya sect non-Muslim.

The fatwa also said that ideally, if the Ahmadiyya did not “repent and return to the true teachings of Islam, they should be killed by the Imam which is the King”.

Acknowledging, however, that this was not legally possible, the fatwa then recommended that the Ahmadiyya be stripped of all special Malay privileges.

To believe or not


According to constitutional law expert Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, however, such declarations that someone is a non-Muslim have massive consequences.

“Every religion has its own jurisdiction to ‘excommunicate’ deviant followers, but in this case it should be a matter of last resort since the implications are devastating,” he said in a phone interview.

Shad said that an official declaration that someone is Muslim or not has implications on the status of marriage, guardianship of children, and inheritance.

Shad also said that the fatwa itself seems to contradict Section 6 of the Selangor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment, which says that it is illegal to declare any Muslim non-Muslim.

According to Shad, the authorities’ treatment of the Ahmadiyya stands in direct contrast with its treatment of cases such as Lina Joy’s, in which a Muslim sought to publicly renounce Islam.

“We are effectively saying that an individual’s affirmation of faith is not enough for them to follow the religion of their choice,” he said.

“In Lina Joy’s case, she is being prevented from leaving Islam, while the Ahmadiyya are being forcefully kicked out and yet are still liable to punishment by the Islamic authorities,” he said.

Shad said that as far as the law was concerned, the Ahmadiyya should enjoy constitutional protection for their freedom of religion if they are considered non-Muslims.

“But if they want to declare themselves Muslim and follow their version of the faith, then the superior courts will defer to the syariah courts,” he said.

The Ahmadiyya movement was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, in 1889. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as Qadianis.

Although Ahmadiyya consider themselves Muslim, mainstream Muslims reject this because the Ahmadiyya believe that Ahmad was the metaphorical second coming of Jesus.

The sect has its headquarters in the United Kingdom, and Ahmadiyya are persecuted by religious authorities in Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia.

According to Ainul, there are approximately 1,500 Ahmadiyya followers in Malaysia, with the majority in Sabah.

Most Ahmadiyya Malaysians are ethnic Malays, and the movement was founded in Malaya in the 1930s.

URL: www.thenutgraph.com/mais-forbids-ahmadiyya-worship

Monday, April 27, 2009

Indonesian leader woos Islamists, upsets minorities

---Reuters India
Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:22am IST

ANALYSIS - Indonesian leader woos Islamists, upsets minorities

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Democrat Party speaks during party's convention in Jakarta April 26, 2009.By Sara Webb and Sunanda Creagh

JAKARTA (Reuters) — As Indonesia’s president courts Islamic parties to form a new coalition, religious and ethnic minorities fear this may undermine a tradition of tolerance in the mainly Muslim but officially secular Southeast Asian nation.

Such a shift could have far-reaching social and economic consequences, potentially stoking tensions between the majority Muslims and the minority Christians and Hindus, as well as prompting the mainly Christian, ethnic Chinese who dominate the business sector to park more of their assets offshore.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s reliance on a large, unwieldy coalition of Islamic and secular parties in his first term, including the Golkar Party which dominated politics during the Suharto era, made it much harder for him to tackle reform.

But in parliamentary polls this month, Yudhoyono’s Democrat Party tripled its share of the votes to about one fifth, putting him in a stronger position to form a more manageable coalition of parties with a common platform.

Already, Yudhoyono, or SBY as he’s often known, has said he may ally with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), an Islamist party which lifted its share of the vote slightly to 8 percent, causing alarm among some Indonesians.

“The possibility that SBY will join with PKS makes us nervous,” said Sofjan Wanandi, Chairman of the Employers’ Association of Indonesia, citing concerns that the PKS might push to create an Islamic state once they had power.

“There is a lot of uncertainty around this. We don’t know if we can believe them,” he said.

“I don’t mind if we have a few ministers from PKS, but if they start to implement really nationalist policies then it could lead to something negative. Political stability is the most important thing to have to avoid capital flight.”

WIDER APPEAL?

The PKS’s push for reform and a crackdown on graft fits with Yudhoyono’s platform, but in other areas there is less of a fit.

Its network of cadres hold weekly study sessions to discuss Islam and while the party has tried to play down its Islamist reputation to widen its appeal, many Indonesians are skeptical, fearing it will push for more sharia-type laws.

Its economic policies veer towards the nationalist, and it has said it would push for the renegotiation of contracts in the energy and mining sector, which could deter foreign investors.

“PKS have a conservative ideology but are portraying themselves as open and moderate because they are also pragmatic,” said Mohamad Guntur Romli, a religious freedom activist.

“Right now, because the Democrat Party is winning, they will adapt because they want to get into the coalition. They will be careful about what they say.

Tifatul Sembiring, PKS chairman, told Reuters earlier this month that his party supported sharia principles, rather than sharia law, and wants all Indonesians to obey their respective religious teachings.

A close alliance between the Democrats and PKS would give the latter much greater influence and perhaps more cabinet posts, at a time when support for most other Islam-based parties – as well as for the two more established secular parties, Golkar and Megawati Sukarnoputri’s PDI-P – has declined.

Indonesia’s minorities – Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, as well as the ethnic Chinese who dominate the business sector – have already had a taste of what this conservative Muslim influence could mean in terms of policies.

As Yudhoyono’s relations with Golkar, his main coalition partner, soured last year, he backed policies favoured by the Islamist parties, passing an anti-porn law that upset Christians, Hindus, and liberal Muslims, and issuing restrictions on the Ahmadiyah, a minority sect that some Muslims consider heretical.

INFILTRATION

Earlier this month, a report backed by former President Abdurrahman Wahid warned that extremists and hardliners including the PKS were infiltrating moderate Muslim groups and institutions to press a more radical agenda.

The PKS denied having a secret agenda.

Even so, some moderate Muslims feel that Indonesia’s centuries-old form of Islam, influenced by mysticism, is under threat from a more conservative form of Islam, noting that polygamy is on the rise, more women and even small children wear the jilbab, and conversions to Islam have increased.

About 85 percent of Indonesia’s population of 226 million profess Islam, and the vast majority are considered moderate.

“Religious consciousness has been rising for the last five years. But that is (true) for other religions too,” Nasaruddin Umar, Director General of the Office of Islamic Guidance in the Department of Religion.

At the same time, an economic migration from predominantly Muslim areas to minority areas is sowing the seeds for religious and cultural conflict.

Thousands of Indonesians from the poorer parts of Java and Sulawesi islands have been lured by the prospect of jobs in the resource-rich areas of Papua and Kalimantan, which have large Christian and animist populations, and in the resort island of Bali, which is mainly Hindu.

In Papua, where a secessionist conflict has brewed for decades, analysts warn of the potential for religious-based clashes following an influx of Muslims to the mainly Christian, tribal areas at the easternmost extreme of Indonesia.

“The potential for communal conflict is high in Papua,” International Crisis Group warned in a report last year.

“Many indigenous Christians feel they are being slowly but surely swamped by Muslim migrants at a time when the central government seems to be supportive of more conservative Islamic orthodoxy, while some migrants believe that they face discrimination if not expulsion in a democratic system where Christians can exercise “tyranny of the majority”.”

URL: http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-39261020090427?sp=true

Monthly Newsreport — February, 2009

Monthly Newsreport — February, 2009

Another Ahmadi killed for his faith

Karachi, February 26, 2009: Mr. Mubashir Ahmad of R-99A, Rizwan Society, KDA Scheme No. 33 Karachi was shot to death by opponents of the community on 20th February 2009. He was 42. According to the details, on the day of the incident, Mr. Ahmad was returning home on bicycle on completion of his work in Steel Rolling Mill situated on Mangho Pir Road Karachi. When he reached near a madrassah, two men appeared, fired at him and fled away. He was grievously injured; that resulted in loss of great deal of blood. He was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in a critical state, where he died later. He expired before his close relatives could reach him.

He was a harmless and simple man by nature. He had no personal vendetta against anyone. He has left behind a wife and three children. He faced religious prejudice at his workplace for years. He received threats to his life, and faced social boycott off and on. The spokesman of the Ahmadiyya Community said that after the promulgation of Ahmadi-specific laws in 1984, 96 Ahmadis have lost their lives through faith-based attacks. The mulla instigates people to murder Ahmadis, and calls it ‘Jihad’. Among the 96 such murders, this is the 33rd murder in Sindh alone.

Murder attempt on Ahmadi religious teacher

Chak 543, district Vehari; February 25, 2009: Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Abid, an Ahmadi religious teacher was fired at by unknown masked men, when he was waiting for a bus at Adda Faujian Wala in the forenoon of February 25. He received four bullet wounds, but luckily survived.

Mr. Abid had gone to Chak 543 to participate in a community program. He stayed there for the night. The next morning they escorted him to the bus stop, 3 kilometers away from the village. Here the attack took place. The locals are of the opinion that this group could be the same who earlier shot dead an Ahmadi official Mr. Chattha three months ago in the same district. The police inactivity has encouraged them to continue with their deadly attacks.

Mr. Abid was taken to the hospital immediately. He made the statement to the police for the FIR. Later, the community friends moved him to Burewala for further medical care and treatment.

Grenade attack on an Ahmadiyya mosque

Sialkot; February 11, 2009: Some miscreant threw a grenade inside the Ahmadiyya mosque in Sialkot. Fortunately there were only a few worshipers in the mosque at the time as this was not the regular time of a congregational prayer, so only one elderly man was injured. The noise of the explosion spread far. The police arrived and cordoned off the area.

Ahmadis were lucky to get away lightly this time. The attack could have resulted in numerous casualties in different circumstances. Similar attacks on Ahmadis in previous years resulted in loss of many lives and injuries to dozens.

Four innocent Ahmadi children and a man remain incarcerated weeks after falsely accused of Blasphemy

Layyah: Four Ahmadi boys and a man were arrested on 28th January on charge of blasphemy in district Layyah. No witness or testimony exists to support the baseless charge to date but they remain in prison even after four weeks. They were shifted to the D.G. Khan Jail on 4th February. Their near relatives were not allowed to meet them for some days. The investigating team of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) was also not allowed by authorities to interview them. According to the report of the Frontier Post of February 8:

Four Ahmadi children charged with blasphemy have been sent to Dera Ghazi Khan Central Jail, Houses of the Qadiani community are besieged

The Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Layyah, Pervez Tareen told the Frontier Post: “I have sent the children on judicial remand and would continue with the investigation.” However, he said that he could not give a time-frame for the conclusion of the investigation.

The police remand submitted to the civil court states that the investigation has not been completed, however the accused should be sent to jail. The local community head told the press reporter that the police had deliberately delayed the investigation, while it had already admitted lack of evidence against the accused. He said that they had provided books to the children in the prison so that they could prepare for their final examinations to be held shortly. He stated that the police had not taken any action against the local chapters of the banned organizations. These are deeply involved in instigating the recent unrest. It is learnt that local MNA PML (N) Mr. Saqlain Shah is backing the extremist elements in the area against the Ahmadis. Daily Times issued a report on February 17, 2009:
A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member of National Assembly from Layyah has instigated the local people to observe a protest today (Tuesday) against four teenagers and a man belonging to the Ahmadiyya community arrested on the charges of blasphemy, a rights body said on Monday. The accused will be brought before a court today. A press release issued on Monday by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) stated that some radical groups had announced a show of strength against Ahmadis to pressurize the court not to grant bail to the five Ahmadis. HRCP issued a fact-finding report which was published in Daily Times of February 13, 2009. It mentions: The HRCP team found that elements belonging to banned extremist organizations and that a relative of a member of National Assembly (MNA) from the area had pressured the police to register a case.
These children are being kept in unacceptable and inhuman conditions, while they are innocent, and the charges against them are false. They have been incarcerated for more than a month. They are suffering at the hands of extremists while the Punjab Government decided to be soft against the agitators and harsh on the innocent. They have learnt no lesson from Swat, Bajaur and Waziristan. Now they are committing the same mistake in the Punjab; the depth of their imprudence is unfathomable.

Attacks in Peshawar

Peshawar; February 7, 2009: Mr. Muhammad Ayaz, a 20-years old son of a former President of the district Ahmadiyya community became the target of an attack by unknown attackers. They shot him in the legs. His condition is now stable.

The same day an Ahmadi youth, son of Dr. Muhammad Nasim Khan escaped an abduction attempt with great difficulty. Three bearded men who were riding a car had attempted to grab him.

The two incidents in one day caused great concern to the Ahmadis of Peshawar.

Rocket attack on an industrial plant owned by Ahmadi


Mandi Bahauddin; Shah Taj Sugar Mills at Mandi Bahauddin is a major industrial unit in the district. Its owner is an Ahmadiyya business family. It provides jobs to hundreds of people on the plant; it buys cane from farming families whose members are in thousands. Some criminals, most likely under religious motivation, attempted a rocket attack on its main production plant. Anti-Ahmadi extremists have always openly mentioned this industry’s proprietors in their public list to be the target of a boycott.

Apparently the rockets were fired from a distance of approximately one kilometer. Three of these fell within the parameters of the mills and exploded, while the fourth failed to explode. It appears that they had targeted the main boiler. Had one of these rockets found its target the explosion of the boiler would have resulted in extensive loss of life. The police registered the case and are investigating.

This is a major escalation in anti-Ahmadiyya violence.

Ahmadis under threat all over the Punjab

Lahore; February 18, 2009: The Daily Express, Lahore in its issue of February 18, 2009 reported the following:
Danger of attack on 365 religious centers of Qadianis in Punjab.
43 business enterprises could also be targeted. Orders for strict security.
Bahawalpur (Express Reporter): Investigation Branch of the Punjab has issued a letter to all the RPOs, CPOs and DPOs of the province in which it is said that according to intelligence reports terrorists are planning to attack 365 religious centers of Qadianis in the province. There are 69 such centers in Jhang. Sargodha 54, Faisalabad 28, Sialkot 22, Gujrat 21, Gujranwala 18, Rawalpindi 11, Lahore 10, Toba Tek Singh 10, and some more in other cities. There are 43 major business enterprises and Qadiani companies in the province. Therefore, strict security measures for their places of worship and business enterprises should be taken immediately.
Denial of promotion to an Ahmadi for his faith
Lahore High Court declares it illegal

Lahore: The daily The News International of February 15, 2009 reported the case of an Ahmadi in government service, whose department denied him career advancement on account of his faith. The text of the report is produced below. Although the discrimination to which the Ahmadi was exposed is not expressly stated in detail, the report is indicative of the prejudice and partiality suffered by Ahmadis in public service. The news report:
Denial of promotion on basis of religion illegal: LHC

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar of the Lahore High Court on Saturday accepted the petition of Shaukat Ali Wahla of the Sargodha Auqaf Department and declared as illegal the recalling of his promotion as an officer on the basis of being an Ahmadi.
The petitioner was promoted as superintendent in BPS-16 and his promotion was subsequently recalled on August 6, 1996, on the grounds that the Punjab Waqf Properties Ordinance did not permit promotion of a non-Muslim as an officer.
Wahla challenged the order before the high court, which held that the petitioner was condemned unheard. After disposal of the petition, the department recalled the impugned order.
Later, the Auqaf department allowed the petitioner move over on May 21, 2001, from BS-16 to 17, granting him selection grade on the same date. But again on October 10, 2001, he was issued a notice that his promotion as superintendent was illegal and it was recalled on January 29, 2002.
Wahla again challenged the order before the high court, which accepted his petition on October 13, 2004, and held that discrimination on the basis of religion was against Article 27(1) of the Constitution.
The Auqaf department challenged the order before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which remanded the case to the high court on October 12, 2006. The case came up for hearing before Justice Saqib Nisar who declared that the recalling order as illegal.

Denial of appropriate final rites to an Ahmadi dead

Moro, District Naushero Feroz (Sindh): Mr. Nasir Khan, an Ahmadi elder died in his village in the first week of February. He was a practicing Ahmadi. Some of his children are Ahmadis while some are not. At the occasion of his death, the local mulla created a great deal of fuss and imposed a ban on Ahmadis to give him an Ahmadiyya burial.

The deceased’s Ahmadi sons and friends were told that they were not permitted to offer his funeral prayers, nor were they allowed to participate in his burial. The mulla threatened violence if his dictate was not followed.

Ahmadis decided to forego their rights and stay well clear of the mischief. However, it is a pity that Ahmadi children of an Ahmadi dead could not give him an Ahmadiyya burial. The mulla’s will prevails as the state leaves him unbridled.

All Ahmadi teachers fired

Lahore: For the last few weeks the Principal and management of Qurban High School are facing drummed up charges of Blasphemy by the mulla. In the meantime, one of the Ahmadi teachers of this school died. As she was greatly respected for her teaching, her coffin was brought to the school for farewell respects. This infuriated the mulla further and he beat the war drums louder.

The mulla added a few more demands and threats to his list. The school administration, already under pressure, conceded to fire all the Ahmadi teachers working in the school.

With little support from the authorities, the society is in a state of siege at the hands of clerics. The authorities fail to realize that continuous hold on power cannot be realized by bowing down to injustice. Mr. Shahbaz Sharif lost his chief ministership on February 25.

Boycott of business

Karachi: Asko Bakery is an Ahmadiyya outlet in Karachi. It has three branches. They provide satisfactory service and produce quality products.

Unknown individual or some unknown organization has moved to harm the Asko Bakery by appealing to sectarian prejudice and sentiment. They issued a printed pamphlet that contained anti-Ahmadiyya slander and provocative jargon to dissuade customers from buying Asko products. The pamphlet contained the following inter alia:
  • Qadianis are worst enemies of the faith and Islam.
  • They commit blasphemy against prophets, especially the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h).
  • They consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani as their prophet.
  • They spend their earning on preaching Qadianism.
  • So do not buy their products and sell your faith in lieu.
  • Asko Bakers is a Qadiani business. They have their branches in the same street and Sindh Lab, and also in Chhota Bahadurabad.
A noteworthy circular

Rabwah: Director of Public Affairs (Nazir Amur Aama) of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah issued a letter for information of all concerned, on the latest communal drive and agitation against Ahmadis in Pakistan, and the conspiracy behind it. Its English translation is produced below.
Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah (Pakistan)
Ph: 047-6212459 Fax 047-6215459 E-mail: nuasaa@hotmail.com
Sir,

Salutation

We hope that all is well with you.

World Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat published the attached calendar for year 2009 (not attached here) which carries provocative writings against Ahmadis. It carries a slogan: The only cure for Qadianis: Al Jihad Al Jihad. It motivates general public to undertake murder of Ahmadis. Also, Markaz Sarajia Lahore is systematically distributing several hate-promoting pamphlets against Ahmadis throughout the country. Photocopies of the titles of some of these are attached.

Recent attacks on Ahmadis and hostile activities against them is the result of a conspiracy of these sectarian elements and social anarchists who promote murder and violence in the name of religion and play pivotal role in provoking communal hatred in the society.

It is unfortunate that in this critical situation the negative role for print and electronic media is encouraging the extremist elements. However, decent people look down upon these savage developments. These extremist and terrorist elements undertake violence against a harmless group in the name of religion; thereby they harm the country. This kind of literature plays an important role in this regard.

Since 1984 when Ahmadi-specific laws were enforced, 95 Ahmadis have fallen victim to religious hatred and extremism. Edicts of Ahmadis; murder are routinely issued. Such murders and murder attempts continue in the New Year.

Despite prohibition, the publication of the attached provocative literature that promotes violence calls for appropriate action by authorities without further delay.

Sincerely,

Saleem uddin
Director of Public Affairs
Rabwah (Chenab Nagar) District Jhang
We reproduce here the addresses of the two sources who have boldly and unabashedly given them on the hate promoting literature:
  1. Markaz Sirajija
    Street 4, Akram park, Ghalib Market
    Gulberg III, Lahore.
  2. World Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat Council
    Jame Masjid Hanafia Faruqia
    Gulistan Colony, Mustafa Abad
    Lahore

Ahmadis' human rights and the national Urdu press

Rabwah: The Press Section of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya issued this month its annual report (2008) on “Anti-Ahmadiyya news published by the Urdu newspapers”. It gives facts and figures, and makes interesting reading.

The survey was restricted to only the major Urdu national dailies. During the year 2008, it remained a routine with the Urdu papers to print anti-Ahmadiyya statements and hatepromoting news in bold headlines. However, no paper had the courage to print the occasional Ahmadiyya explanation conspicuously. In year 2007, nine hundred and seventy four such news items appeared in the press, but in 2008 it went up to one thousand and thirty three items. Almost all of these were prejudiced, hate-promoting and false propaganda. The daily Nawa-i-Waqt (Editor: Majeed Nizami) led this band by printing 465 news, while in 2007 it printed 235 news against Ahmadiyyat. The daily Jang stood second (founded by Mir Khalil ur Rehman), and the Daily Express was at close third.

Mullas are in the habit of making provocative statements. These are published without any verification. As a result, common folk get agitated and inflict physical and costly harm upon Ahmadis. As a result of such provocation and hateful propaganda six Ahmadis were murdered last year for their faith.

A few of these headlines whose photocopies have been printed in that report are translated below for the information of our readers:

  • Qadianis are not loyal to the country, nation and Islam. — Sajid Mir
    The daily Jang, Lahore; May 27, 2008
  • Qadianis are enemies of Islam and Pakistan. — Shadabi Raza, Mufti M. Sadeeq
    The Daily Express, Lahore; June 2, 2008
  • Our drive will continue till the end of Qadianiat. — (Aalami Khatme-e-Nabuwwat Conference)
    The daily Pakistan, Lahore; September 9, 2008
  • The centenary celebration of Qadianiat is a conspiracy to destroy the peace of the country - Ulema
    The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; May 24, 2008
  • Qadianis are involved in the publication of blasphemous cartoons. — Abu Bakr Madni
    The Daily Express, Lahore; April 17, 2008
  • Cases should be registered against Qadiani students of the PMC
    The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; June 30, 2008
  • 600 Qadianis of Pakistan recruited in Israeli Army
    The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 16, 2008
And many more.

Communal tension in the National Textile University - Faisalabad


Faisalabad: Campaign is going on against Ahmadis in the National Textile University Faisalabad for the last few months. It includes distribution of sectarian literature, hate speeches by mullas in the university mosque, and posting provocative stickers. They held a conference in the university mosque on 17th February, 2009 after the evening prayer. Four hundred students were among the participants. The mullas made abusive and slanderous speeches against Ahmadis. As a result of this conference an environment of hate and prejudice prevails in the University. Two Ahmadis male students and three female students had to be shifted outside the hostel. Subsequent to this an Ahmadi delegation met the Superintendent of Police (Operations) of Faisalabad and conveyed him all this information and their concern, in writing. Audio recordings of speeches and copies of the distributed literature were also provided to the official. He promised to look into the case. Subsequently Ahmadi students were shifted back to the hostel on 22nd February, 2009. They are facing a social boycott there, but the situation is under control apparently.

Faisalabad is the same city where in June last year, the management of the Punjab Medical College committed the grave wrong of expulsion of all their Ahmadi students from the college and the hostel. It took months to pacify the situation and reverse the wicked and unjust action.

Corruption in the Town Council of Rabwah


Rabwah: The daily Ausaf of February 25, 2009 published a news item regarding the Rabwah town council which was sent in by its ‘Special Representative.’ Its English translation is produced below:
Chenab Nagar: The office of Town Council Chenab Nagar has become a centre of corruption. Fraud of millions in official records.
Millions of rupees drawn fraudulently from the treasury causing heavy losses.
Employees have occupied residential plots worth billions.
They have filled their pockets in the name of taxes and ‘Plans Approval.’

Chenab Nagar (Special Reporter): The Town Council of Chenab Nagar has become a house of corruption; alleged fraud of billions of rupees disclosed. Ch. Ahmad Yousuf, well-known literary and social activist of the town claimed this in his letters sent to the Chief Minister, the Secretary Local Government, the Commissioner Faisalabad and the DCO Jhang Mr. Asad Islam Mahni. As per details, he disclosed, along with proofs, corruption amounting to millions of rupees in official records in collaboration with Azmat Qadeer Waiya of TMA Chiniot. He asserted that the employees of the 4th grade up to high ranks are indulging in unrestricted loot of citizens. Consequently the treasury has suffered a loss of millions through official irregularities and rackets. Ch. Ahmad Yousuf exposed the bogus receipt books used in this fraud. Employees of the council have illegally occupied plots worth billions of rupees. Ninety percent of the commercial plots in Chenab Nagar have been converted from residential with collaboration of the Council officials and employees. The staff has filled their pockets by blackmailing the citizens in the name of ‘plans approval’ fees and other taxes. Ch. Ahmad Yousuf has demanded immediate action from the higher authorities.
Ahmadis behind bars
  1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 89/2005. He is now in the sixth year of his imprisonment.
  2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs, Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death cell at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. These innocent are now in the sixth year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
  3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy. The judge rejected his plea for bail. The police investigation found him innocent.
  4. Rana Khalil Ahmad, an elderly and disabled gentleman, is detained for allegedly writing a letter to a cleric.
  5. Mr. Rashid Iqbal is facing a fabricated accusation under the blasphemy law. He was arrested and refused release on bail.
  6. Four school-going children and Mr. Mubashir Ahmad were charged in Layyah for blasphemy on 28th January, 2009 and put behind bars without any initial inquiry or witnesses.
From the press

5 Ahmadis detained without proof of blasphemy: HRCP
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 13, 2009
Ahmadi children sent to DG Khan Jail
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 7, 2009
Six rockets fired at Sugar Mill
The daily Nation, Lahore; Feb 14, 2009
(Note: This sugar mill at Mandi Bahauddin is owned by an Ahmadi)
‘Six Ahmadis murdered last year’
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 25, 2009

Inquiry against the Qadiani principal initiated in response to protest by Tahrik-e-Tahafuze-Khatam Nabuwwat
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; Feb 2, 2009
Police couldn’t trace the culprits who attacked Qadiani place of worship at Sialkot
The daily Jinnah, Lahore; Feb 23, 2009

MNA promoting violent protest against Ahmadis
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 17, 2009
Police told to ensure security of Qadiani places of worship. 28 such places of Faisalabad are included in the order. Action taken on account of rocket attack on a (Ahmadiyya owned) sugar mill.
The Daily Express, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
Pakistan fighting Taliban for its survival — Zardari
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
Indonesian hardliners seek ban on Rotary, Lions clubs
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 3, 2009
Those who burn schools and other properties are not locals; they are American agents. — Liaquat Baloch (of JI)
The daily Khabrain, Lahore; Feb 17, 2009
Dr. Abdul Qadeer is free
The daily Aman, Lahore; Feb 6, 2009

UK based terrorists of Pakistani origin biggest threat to US — CIA
The daily Jang, Lahore; Feb 9, 2009
Taliban kill Polish engineer. Baloch Liberation Front own up abduction of UN official
The daily Waqt, Lahore; Feb 8, 2009
Qadianiat is a threat to Islam and Pakistan. — Tayyib Qasmi
The Daily Express, Lahore; Feb 17, 2009
All parties Jihad conference will be held today by world Pasban Khatme-Nabuwwat.
The daily Jang, Lahore; Feb 1, 2009
Office of the Town Council Chenab Nagar is a depot of corruption — Press report
The daily Ausaf, Lahore; Feb 25, 2009
Chenab Nagar: Encroachments proliferate. Citizens exposed to great hardship. Administration pays no heed. — Fatah Mubalhila Conference
The Daily Express, Lahore; Feb 13, 2009
Chenab Nagar: Incompetence of the local council rather criminal negligence. Heaps of filth proliferates all over the city. Stagnant water on the roads makes the life of citizens miserable, 36 sanitary workers are on VIP’s duty. Mirzais should embrace Islam at the earliest. (Abdul Ghafoor Rahmani)
The daily Aman, Lahore; Feb 6, 2009
Dilapidated roads are the fate of Chenab Nagar
The daily Jang, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
Load shedding of 13-20 hours in Chenab Nagar. Citizens cry out loud. Residents have no water to drink. Life is nearly at standstill. High officials urged to take notice.
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 6, 2009
Banned Jammatud Da’wa back into business?
Thousand carrying flags of banned outfit gather for rally in Lahore. Collect donations for Da’wa-linked trust. ‘Tehrik-e-Azadi-Kashmir’ adopted as the temporary new name.
The daily Jang, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
Suicide blast in the mourning procession of Shias in D.G. Khan. 30 people died and 60 injured.
The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; Feb 6, 2009
In anti-militancy operations 1450 Pakistan army officers, men embraced shahadat (martyrdom)
The daily Frontier Post, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
I consider democracy Kufr. Sufi Muhammad reached Kwaza Khaila
The daily Waqt, Lahore; Feb 19, 2009
TTP threatens to kill more ANP leaders. Baitullah aid claims responsibility for attack on ANP lawmaker
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 13, 2009
TTP threatens to destroy schools
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 12, 2009
Taliban kidnap, free 30 security men
The daily Frontier Post, Lahore; Feb 5, 2009
8 million tribals are more patriotic than 160 million Pakistanis. — Liaqat Baloch
The daily Khabrain, Lahore; Feb 17, 2009
Rally held by thousands against the military operation and for promulgation of Shariah in Swat.
The daily Din, Lahore; Feb 14, 2008
Taliban & Mujahideen are fighting for the defence of Islam. — Maulanas Ismatullah, Hafiz Fazal Muhammad, Muhammad Hanif, Abdul Qadir, Muhammad Ilyas Nurulla, JUI Baluchistan, Abdul Ghafur and Abdul Qadir address.
The daily Aman, Lahore; Feb 7, 2009
Taliban shelling kills 14 civilians in Darra
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 10, 2009
Permanent ceasefire announced in Swat — Maulanas Ismatullah, Hafiz Fazal Muhammad, Muhammad Hanif, Abdul Qadir, Muhammad Ilyas Nurulla, JUI Baluchistan, Abdul Ghafur and Abdul Qadir address.
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 22, 2009
Govt agrees to enforce Sharia in Malakand
FSC (Federal Shariat Court) to be the last court of appeal
President approves Sharia laws
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 16, 2009
SC knocks out Sharifs. Governor rules Punjab.
The Daily Times, Lahore; Feb 26, 2009
We shall have to confront jointly the international pressure against the release of Dr. Qadeer. — Pervaiz Ilahi
The daily Jang, Lahore; Feb 3, 2009
Six cops among eight robbers arrested (at Lahore)
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 15, 2009
Chiniot gets district status
The daily Dawn, Lahore; Feb 3, 2009
Op-eds


Decree of Apostasy against Barack Hussain
An article in the daily Ajkal, Lahore; Feb 2, 2009

In 2004, an amendment was made in Criminal procedural Code (CPC) Section 295C of the constitution according to which the police is bound to thoroughly investigate blasphemy accusations before leveling criminal charges. The aim of the amendment was to reduce the scope of blasphemy laws which are still widely and frequently abused and often result in death penalties. But this did not happen in this case (of Ahmadis in Layyah).
HRCP mission report in the daily News, Lahore; Feb 8, 2009
 
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