Another Ahmadi Muslim murdered in Pakistan

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
International Press and Media Desk
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International
22 Deer Park, London, SW19 3TL
Tel / Fax (44) 020 8544 7613 Mobile (44) 077954 90682
Email: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Web: Alislam.org

29 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

ANOTHER AHMADI MUSLIM MURDERED IN PAKISTAN

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that yet another member of its Community has lost his life in a senseless attack in Pakistan. Mian Laiq Ahmad (54), a well known Ahmadi trader in Faisalabad, died earlier today after being brutally attacked last evening. He becomes the 5th Ahmadi to be martyred in 2009 and the 101st to be killed in Pakistan since anti-Ahmadiyya laws were introduced by the Government of General Zia-ul-Haq in 1984.

Yesterday evening the deceased was returning to his home in ‘Peoples Colony’, when he saw a parked Toyota Corolla blocking the road outside his home. As Mr Ahmad neared his home he slowed down and at that point unknown persons jumped out of the Toyota and ran towards his car. It seems that at this point Mr Ahmad tried to reverse but just as he did so he was shot in the head. At that point the attackers closed in on Mr Ahmad and fired repeatedly at his stomach and arms. The assailants then fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was taken to the local hospital immediately and then transferred to the ‘Allied Hospital’ but was unable to recover and today at 11.30am local time he passed away. Mr Ahmad is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

Currently throughout Pakistan and in particular within the Punjab, anti-Ahmadiyya conferences are taking place on a regular basis. During these conferences audiences are instructed that there is a duty to kill Ahmadis and as a result uneducated yet indoctrinated people are led to believe that the bloodshed of innocent Ahmadis is something that will be greatly rewarded. It is of serious note that yesterday a similar such Khatme Nabuwwat was held near to where the deceased lived.

The International Community, Media and Human Rights organisations are all urged to take action to safeguard the basic human and civil rights of Ahmadi Muslims both in Pakistan and in other countries where they face discrimination. In an era where freedom of religion and belief is accepted as a basic human right throughout the world it is of disbelief that anti-Ahmadiyya legislation is still active and indeed still being enforced in Pakistan.

End of Release
Further Info: Abid Khan (press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk)