Sunday, January 31, 2010

Ahmadis murdered for their faith in Pakistan during 2009 - A Report

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International, UK

Ahmadis murdered for their faith in Pakistan during 2009
- A Report


The persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan continued to escalate during 2009. During the year 11 Ahmadis were murdered simply because they were members of the Jamaat. This report highlights the brutal, barbaric and evil attacks that led to the death of those 11 people.

These 11 persons followed the example of countless Ahmadis before them in sacrificing their lives for the sake of their faith. Their deaths grieved not only their loved ones but all members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat worldwide. However Ahmadis will always show patience in the face of even the most difficult trials and remain consoled by the words of God Almighty :

“And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah that they are dead; nay, they are living, only you perceive not.” (Holy Qur’an, Chapter 2, Verse 155)

AHMADIS MARTYRED IN 2009
NAMEDATE OF MURDERLOCATION
Saeed Ahmad19 JanuaryKotri, Sindh
Mubashar Ahmad26 FebruaryKarachi
Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa14 MarchMultan
Dr Noreen Bajwa14 MarchMultan
Mian Laiq Ahmad29 MayFaisalabad
Khalid Rasheed24 JuneQuetta
Zafar Iqbal24 JuneQuetta
Rana Ata-ul-Karim6 AugustMultan
Muhammad Azam Farooqi26 SeptemberUch Sharif
Zulfiqar Mansur11 October (body found)Quetta
Rana Saleem Ahmad26 NovemberSanghar, Sindh

BY LOCATION AHMADIS KILLED IN 2009
LOCATIONNUMBER KILLED IN 09
Multan3
Quetta3
Sindh2
Karachi1
Faisalabad1
Uch Sharif1

MARTYRDOM OF MR SAEED AHMAD
(95th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:MONDAY, 19 JANUARY 2009
LOCATION: KOTRI, SINDH PROVINCE
BACKGROUND:

In the year prior to this killing Kotri had become a hotbed for anti-Ahmadiyya sectarianism. The police and local judiciary were always informed of any incidents but remained hostile in their attitudes towards the Jamaat and failed to provide any form of adequate protection.

FACTS:

On the evening of 19th January 2009, Mr Saeed Ahmad, 55, had just returned from work and was about to enter his home when a person waiting for him fired a shotgun directly at his head. Mr Ahmad died on the spot. The attacker fled the scene. An First Information Report (FIR) was recorded against unknown persons. No arrest was made.

Survived by his wife and four children, Mr Ahmad was a very pious man and had no personal issues or disputes with anyone.

The family had migrated from Sakrand to Kotri in 1990. Mr Ahmad was duly buried at the Ahmadiyya Graveyard in Kot Gondal, District Hyderabad.

MARTYRDOM OF MR MUBASHAR AHMAD
(96th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2009
LOCATION: NEAR MANGHO PIR ROAD, KARACHI
BACKGROUND:

As in other parts of Pakistan the Jamaat had faced significant persecution in various parts of Karachi. Only months prior to this murder in 2008 both Mr Basharat Ahmad Mughal and Mr Sheikh Saeed Ahmad were killed in the city as violence against members of the Jamaat continued to increase

FACTS:

On 20th February 2009, Mr Mubashar Ahmad, 42, was returning home from work on his bicycle following completion of that day’s work at the Steel Rolling Mill, when two men appeared. They fired shots at him and then fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was grievously injured by the attack and was subsequently taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. His injuries were too severe for him to be saved. He was pronounced dead before his relatives could reach the hospital.

Mr Ahmad was an ordinary Ahmadi Muslim. He had not grievance with anyone and none had any personal grievance with him, except perhaps from those unknown to him due to his faith. This had caused him to be subjected to various forms of persecution over a long period of time due to his chosen faith, which ultimately resulted in his murder. For example, at his work place he had received threats to his life and been subjected to a social boycott.

Mr Ahmad is survived by his wife and three children.

MARTYRDOMS OF DR SHIRAZ AHMAD BAJWA & DR NOREEN BAJWA
(97th & 98th Ahmadis murdered for their faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:SATURDAY, 14 MARCH 2009
LOCATION: WAPDA COLONY, MULTAN
BACKGROUND:

Prior to these killings it had been well known that sectarian and militant Muslim organisations had prepared a lengthy ‘hit-list’ of Ahmadiyya locations and leading personalities. This list was known to include, amongst others, well educated professionals who be2longed to the Jamaat. We have reason to believe that the names of Dr Shiraz Bajwa and Dr Noreen Bajwa were on such a list, probably due to the excellent services they were providing within their local community and consequently the respect that they were afforded by locals.

Multan also acts as the headquarters of an anti-Ahmadiyya organisation. The particular organisation makes no secret of its hatred of the Jamaat based purely on doctrinal differences. Due to the acts of the organisation the Jamaat has faced many incidents of persecution in the recent including a major effort of the local extremists to have the Jamaat’s prayer centre closed down.

FACTS:

The murders of the married couple Dr Shiraz Ahmad Bajwa (37) and Dr Noreen Bajwa (29) on 14 March 2009 were particularly brutal and barbaric.

Both husband and wife had returned to their home at Wapda Colony at around 2.45pm. Their home was in a seemingly very well protected residential area. Approximately one hour after they returned home, their maid found their tortured corpses . She immediately informed security staff.

The 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.

Nothing was stolen from their home. All cash, jewellery and other valuables remained untouched.

Dr Shiraz Bajwa was an eye-specialist who had worked at many hospitals including the Fazl-e-Umar Hospital in Rabwah. Dr Noreen Bajwa worked at a local children’s hospital. Both of them had excellent academic and professional backgrounds and were popular amongst their colleagues. Though they had received threats due their religion they had never reacted to the severe provocation.

MARTYRDOM OF MR MIAN LAIQ AHMAD
(99th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since Ordinance XX passed in 1984)
DATE:FRIDAY, 29 May 2009 (Martyr attacked on 28 May 2009)
LOCATION: PEOPLE’S COLONY, FAISALABAD

BACKGROUND:

In the weeks prior to this barbaric killing, throughout Pakistan and particularly within Punjab, anti-Ahmadiyya conferences were taking place on a regular basis. Although such conferences had taken place for many years, prior to this killing they had increased greatly both in number and also in terms of the hateful content of the rallies.

It is of serious significance that one day prior to the attack such a conference hosted by Khatme Nabuwwat took place and was addressed by a number of well known extreme clerics. A report of this conference was given in The Daily Amman newspaper on 28 May 2009.

Faisalabad is a hub for Wahabi activism and politically speaking the PML(N) has a strong base in the area. Authorities maintain a permissive attitude towards agitation and harassment of the Jamaat. In addition to a number of killings that have taken place in recent years, a more recent phenomenon that runs in parallel to the strategy of outright murder, has been the abduction of Ahmadis present in the city. ††

FACTS:

On 29 May 2009, Mr Mian Laiq Ahmad (54) died after being attacked the previous evening.

On 28 May 2009 Mr Ahmad was returning to his home in People’s 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. Mr Ahmad tried to reverse his car but as he did so he was shot in the head. At that point the attackers got closer to Mr Ahmad and fired at his stomach and arms. The assailants fled the scene.

Mr Ahmad was immediately taken to the local hospital and thereafter transferred to the Allied Hospital. His injuries were too severe and at 11.30am on 29 May 2009 he was pronounced dead.

Mr Ahmad was survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.

MARTYRDOMS OF MR KHALID RASHEED AND MR ZAFAR IQBAL
(100th & 101st Ahmadis murdered for their faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2009
LOCATION: QUETTA
BACKGROUND:

Persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Quetta has a long and sad history. The first martyrdom of an Ahmadi in Pakistan occurred in the city when Major Mahmud Ahmad, an army doctor, was murdered for his faith in 1948. Since then, Ahmadis have long since been a targeted for persecution. The Jamaat as an organisation has not been immune; in 1986 violent riots erupted in opposition to the Jamaat resulting in the Ahmadiyya Mosque being sealed upon the demands of local clerics, preventing the practise by Ahmadis of their faith.

In this case, threats had been made via telephone to one of the deceased (Mr Zafar Iqbal) in the days prior to the killings. Mr Iqbal’s family has been no stranger to such persecution. Mr. Iqbal’s brother-in-law had also been killed because of his faith in Quetta four years previously.

FACTS:

On the evening of 24 June 2009 two Ahmadis, Mr Khalid Rasheed and Mr Zafar Iqbal were shot dead by unknown persons.

As per their routine, Mr Rasheed drove his colleague, Mr Iqbal, to his home. He stayed with him for about half an hour. As he was leaving suddenly unknown persons appeared and shot at both Ahmadis a number of times. They died instantaneously.

At the time of the attack, Mr Iqbal’s brother, Mubarak Ahmad, was also by his side. Two shots were also fired towards him but thankfully they missed.

Mr Khalid Rasheed was survived by his widow, who is a doctor, two infant daughters and one son.

Mr Zafar Iqbal was survived by his widow and three sons.

MARTYRDOM OF RANA ATA-UL-KARIM
(102nd Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:THURSDAY, 6 AUGUST 2009
LOCATION: MULTAN
BACKGROUND:

Multan is the headquarters of an anti-Ahmadiyya extremist organisation. As reported previously in March 2009 a married Ahmadi couple were murdered for their faith.

In the days prior to this murder certain unknown persons were seen reconnoitring the residence of Mr Karim. Although Mr. Karim took a number of precautions, these ultimately proved to be futile against the determination of the assailants to murder him.

FACTS:

Mr Rana Ata-ul-Karim (36) was killed at his home on 6th August 2009 at around 10am.

On the morning of the incident Mr Karim left his property and whilst he was away three armed men entered his house. They locked his wife and children in one of the rooms and waited for the return of Mr Karim. His wife pleaded with the intruders to take whatever possessions they wanted and leave. That was not however their intention which was far more sinister.

As soon as Mr Karim returned to the house he was shot at three times. One bullet hit his neck damaging his windpipe, one hit his ear and the third hit his lower body damaging his kidneys. Mr Karim died instantaneously.

Mr Karim was a well known Ahmadi and very successful. He had a Master’s degree in agriculture and was in the business of production and distribution of poultry feeds and medicines.

Mr Karim was survived by his wife, one son (9) and two daughters (4 & 3).

MARTYRDOM OF MUHAMMAD AZAM FAROOQI
(103rd Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2009
LOCATION: UCH SHARIF
BACKGROUND:

This murder was yet another provoked by the constant barrage of anti-Ahmadiyya hateful propaganda that permeates across all parts of Pakistan. Anti-Ahmadiyya conferences, anti-Ahmadiyya sermons and anti-Ahmadiyya literature regularly call for Ahmadis to be killed and Fatwas are granted stating that Ahmadis are ‘Wajibul Qatl’ that is that it is a religious duty to kill them. This is entirely untrue and a misrepresentation of Islam.

FACTS:

Mr Muhammad Azam Farooqi was murdered because of his faith on 26 September 2009 in the presence of his wife and daughter.

He was returning from a family wedding on his motorbike at 8.30pm when two unknown persons brandishing a firearm forced him to stop his vehicle. Because of the attack, Mr Farooqi, his wife and daughter, fell from the motorbike. As Mr Farooqi went to help his family the assailants stopped him and pointed a gun towards him. Mr Farooqi pleaded with them to take whatever they wanted and to leave him and his family alone. Ignoring the plea, one of the assailants shot him in the temple and he died on the spot in front of his wife and daughter. The assailants fled the scene without taking any possessions or money.

Mr Muhammad Azam Farooqi was survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.

Following this murder the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad commented upon this incident and spoke about the ongoing threat to Ahmadis in Pakistan. He said:

“The opponents of our Jamaat can murder a few of our members; they can loot Ahmadis of their wealth; they can destroy our buildings; they can stop us constructing mosques. But they can never weaken our faith…

“The members of the Jamaat worldwide need to focus on prayer. Because the way the situation is developing it seems that Ahmadis, particularly in Pakistan, are going to face increased cruelty and hardship. The ignorant opponents do not realise that their deeds are not harming our community but in fact are harming the country and society at large.”
(Friday Sermon 2 October 2009)

MARTYRDOM OF ZULFIQAR MANSOOR
(104th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)


DATE:SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2009
LOCATION: QUETTA
BACKGROUND:

This murder was preceded by the killings of two other relatives of Mr Mansur because of their faith. In April 2008 Mr Abbas Ahmad, the uncle of Mr Mansur, was killed in Quetta and then in June 2009 Mr Khalid Rasheed, another relative, was also killed in the city.

FACTS:

The body of Mr Zulfiqar Mansur (35) was found lying in the suburbs of the city on 11 October 2009. He had been shot three times, including in the eye.

Mr Mansur had been abducted one month previously when on 11 September 2009 he was abducted by armed persons as he left home in his car. The abductors then contacted Mr Mansur’s family and demanded 150million Pakistan Rupees. The abductors repeatedly referred to the ‘Qadianism’ of the family as a means of justifying their acts.

The original demand was totally beyond the capacity of the family, however negotiations continued during the following weeks and agreement was reached. The demands were met, however the abductors chose not to abide by the agreement and brutally killed Mr Mansur anyway.

Mr Mansur was survived by his elderly mother, his wife and two young sons.

MARTYRDOM OF RANA SALEEM AHMAD
(105th Ahmadi murdered for his faith since
Ordinance XX passed in 1984)

DATE:THURSDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2009
LOCATION: SANGHAR, SINDH
BACKGROUND:

Many Ahmadis have long been targeted in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. In September 2008 two prominent Ahmadis, Dr Abdul Mannan Siddiqi and Seth Muhammad Yusuf, were killed following the airing of the GEO Television programme ‘Aalim Online’ in which it was said that it was a religious duty to kill Ahmadis. Another Ahmadi, Saeed Ahmad was killed in Kotri in January 2009. This latest killing continues a trend of the murder of well known Ahmadis in the Sindh Province.

FACTS:

Rana Saleem Ahmad (51) was the Deputy Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Sanghar and on 26 November 2009 he was shot dead by unknown assailants in the evening just outside the local Ahmadiyya Mosque.

Mr Ahmad was locking the mosque after the sunset prayer when he was shot at from close range. The bullet hit him in the nose and came out of the back of his head. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where he was soon pronounced dead.

Rana Saleem Ahmad was the proprietor and manager of the New Light Academy reputed for offering an extremely high standard of education for young children. Approximately one thousands students are enrolled. The education of children was a great passion of the deceased who wanted to raise the literacy standard of children in Pakistan regardless of colour, class or religion.

Mr Ahmad had also served the Jamaat with distinction in numerous roles.

CONCLUSION

In 1947 the Founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared that the Pakistan he envisioned was one of tolerance; where peoples of different faiths and beliefs sat side by side in peace and harmony. A Pakistan where there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion.

Twenty seven years later, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who professed himself to be a secular liberal, regrettably violated the vision of Qaid-e-Azam when he allowed for the Constitution of Pakistan to be amended so that Ahmadi Muslims were declared non-Muslim for the purposes of the law and constitution.

A further ten years later General Zia, who had assumed power after overthrowing and hanging Bhutto some years earlier, promulgated the anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX in order to win favour with the mullahs and their followers. This was a further and even deeper wound to the memory of Qaid-e-Azam as it basically curtailed all rights of Ahmadis to practise freely their religion.

The Government of Pakistan therefore bears a great deal of responsibility for the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat because these two acts effectively legitimised discrimination and prejudice against a minority sect. The legitimacy afforded has been pounced upon by the many extremist clerics that permeate all parts of the country. Rallies continually take place throughout Pakistan where the masses, much of whom are uneducated, are told that Ahmadis are legitimate targets and ‘Wajibul Qatl’ which means that Muslims are under a religious duty to kill and eliminate them.

This report has highlighted the cases of eleven innocent persons who were killed not because they had done anything wrong but because they belonged to a religious organisation whose motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. They belonged to an organisation that has always taught that Islam is a religion of peace and that Islam is the ultimate defender of all faiths.

The International Community and Media is urged to take action to safeguard members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan. The year 2010 was not a week old when another member, Retired Professor Muhammad Yusuf (70) was killed in Lahore whilst tending the shop owned by his son. Such horrific incidents are increasing in number and occurring in parts of Pakistan that were previously relatively safe. It is of absolute urgency that the International Community and Media condemns the treatment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan and demands its Government to repeal all anti-Ahmadiyya legislation.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan during the Year 2009 - A Summary

Pakistan has suffered greatly at the hands of the mulla during the past decade. The present democratic regime is literally at war with extremist elements. However, it is yet to realize that extremism and sectarianism are evil in all their forms. The federal government has not even hinted that it will repeal the unjust laws specific to Ahmadis. The provincial governments, notably in the Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have gone out of their way to show that they are in league with the mulla in his anti-Ahmadiyya campaign...

Download complete report in Adobe PDF format.
annual_report2009.pdf (1.93 mb)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

‘Government complicity’ lets religious conflict go on

---The Jakarta Post, Indonesia
Headlines Thu, 01/28/2010 9:33 AM

‘Government complicity’ lets religious conflict go on

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A damning report on freedom of worship in Indonesia has blasted state agencies and government officials for complicity in violating this fundamental right.

The Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace released Wednesday its Report on the Condition of Religious and Faith Freedom in Indonesia, revealing 200 violations against freedom of worship throughout 2009.

The institute claimed state agencies had been involved in 139 of the cases — 101 of the cases saw “active” involvement by state officials, while the 38 others were by omission.

“Over the last three years, we have found that violations against freedom of religion remain rampant,” Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said at a press conference.

“This is mostly because the government is half-hearted in its upholding of the right to worship.”

State institutions outed by the report include the police, which Setara claimed were involved in 48 cases, the Religious Affairs Ministry (14 cases), mayors (eight cases), regents (six cases) and courts (six cases).

“State agencies often prohibit certain groups from praying or building a place of worship,” Hendardi said.

“We also found government officials discriminated against other groups, prohibiting them from using public facilities.”

He added that in many cases of attacks by Muslim mobs on congregations of other faiths, the authorities turned a blind eye and sided with the offending majority.

An attack against supporters of the Ahmadiyah sect in Jakarta, for instance, led to arrests of Ahmadiyah members, and not their attackers.

The police claimed they did this to protect the Ahmadis.

Setara also categorized 86 cases in their findings as crimes that should have been dealt with by law enforcement officials.

The violators in 29 of these cases were the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the hard-line Islam Defenders Front or FPI (nine cases), and the Forum of Islamic Community or FUI (six cases).

“The Ahmadis remained the most persecuted community, falling victim in 33 separate cases during 2009,” Hendardi said.

“Christians were next with 12 cases, then followers of the Satria Piningit Weteng Buwono sect with 10 cases.”

The number of cases last year was lower than in 2008, when Setara highlighted 265 violations.

The most prominent case in 2008 was the attack on Ahmadiyah supporters by the FPI and other hard-line Islamic groups at a pro-tolerance rally at the National Monument in Jakarta.

In 2007, Setara recorded only 135 violations of freedom of worship.

The institute monitors freedom of worship in 12 provinces: North, West and South Sumatra; Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku.

West Java had the highest number of violations, with 57 cases, followed by Jakarta with 38 cases and Banten with 10 cases.

With violations on the rise from three years ago, the Setara Institute urged the government to pass legislation on religious tolerance as soon as possible.

“We also ask the government to integrate lessons on tolerance and pluralism into the national education curriculum,” said deputy chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos.

He also called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to make good on a campaign promise to revoke all bylaws violating freedom of worship. (bbs)

URL: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/28/%E2%80%98govern...eligious-conflict-go.html

Martyrdom of Professor Muhammad Yusuf

Video report on the martyrdom of Professor Muhammad Yusuf. Presentation of MTA Studios Pakistan.

Retired Professor Muhammad Yusuf (aged 70) was killed around 7:30am on 5th January, 2010 by two masked gunmen in Rachna Town, Ferozwala, Lahore when he was tending his son's grocery shop.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Controversial cleric retains position as presidential adviser

---The Jakarta Post, Indonesia
Headlines Tue, 01/26/2010 9:32 AM

Controversial cleric retains position as presidential adviser

Erwida Maulia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta


New advisers: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono congratulates senior economist and former environment minister Emil Salim (center) after swearing him in as one of nine new members of the Presidential Advisory Council at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday. Courtesy of Presidential Office/Abror Rizki
New advisers: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono congratulates senior economist and former environment minister Emil Salim (center) after swearing him in as one of nine new members of the Presidential Advisory Council at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday. Courtesy of Presidential Office/Abror Rizki

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated on Monday nine members of the presidential advisory board, retaining the position of a controversial Muslim cleric who supported the banning of Jamaah Ahmadiyah.

Ma’ruf Amin, former chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) who issued a fatwa banning liberalism and pluralism after heading the council’s fatwa commission, is among the old faces staying in the board, along with the country’s environmental guru Emil Salim.

Both served on the board during the President’s first term.

Among the new advisers are former health minister Siti Fadillah Supari, former coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs Widodo A. S., former foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, and former state minister for women’s empowerment Meutia Hatta.

Others are Ryaas Rasyid, former state minister for regional autonomy during Abdurrahman Wahid’s presidency in early 2000s, former speaker of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Ginandjar Kartasasmita and former Constitutional Court chief Jimly Asshiddiqie.

The former advisers were the late Ali Alatas, Adnan Buyung Nasution, Subur Budi Santoso, TB Silalahi, Rahmawati, Syahrir and Abdul Ghafur Lahode.

Political observer Mohammad Qodari from poll agency Indobarometer considered Yudhoyono’s decision to appoint his new nine advisers as quite agreeable in the way that they covered fields in which the President would require counsel.

Legal, health, foreign, women’s, security, regional autonomy, economy and religion issues have been covered by the new figures, Qodari said.

“I believe, however, that the President should appoint advisers that can help him with education, technology and industry issues.”

Qodari said Yudhoyono’s decision to retain Emil and Ma’ruf was understandable, citing Emil’s recognized expertise in economic and environmental issues and Ma’ruf’s “strategic” position in the MUI.

Public policy expert from University of Indonesia, Andrinof Chaniago, however, lamented that the appointment of some of the new advisers was based more on political considerations instead of abilities.

“That is Yudohyono’s weakness. He places too much emphasis on political symbolism and representation, when he should choose people based on their experience and abilities to improve the government and benefit his own performance.”

Andrinof declined to share the names of those he considered unsuitable for their positions.

Jimly was upbeat that the new board could work effectively in advising the President on the execution of his duties.

“To give advice effectively depends on the way you convey the message. There is an art to it.”

URL: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/26...n-presidential-adviser.html

Monday, January 25, 2010

PAKISTAN — Ahmadi property grab alarms minorities

---Union of Catholic Asian News, Hong Kong

PAKISTAN - Ahmadi property grab alarms minorities

Published Date: January 25, 2010

Ahmadis outside their place of worship in Rabwah
RABWAH, Pakistan (UCAN) — An Ahmadi place of worship has been seized by authorities in what minority religious communities fear is a further erosion of pluralism in the country.

Concerns were raised after a large police contingent handed over a disputed worship venue in Rabwah to the majority Sunni Muslims on Jan. 14.

The place called Bait Noor had been sealed in 2003 to prevent clashes between the two Islamic groups over its ownership.

Many Muslims regard the Ahmadis as a heretical Islamic sect.

Catholic human rights activists have condemned the recent anti-Ahmadi move.

“It is a sad happening under the elected government of Punjab province. The sheer negligence of authorities is threatening the freedom of religion,” said Alvin Murad, executive secretary of the major religious superiors’ justice and peace commission.

Peter Jacob, executive secretary the Catholic bishop’s National Commission for Justice and Peace, agreed.

“We disapprove of such treatment of minorities. Some political figures, belonging to the mainstream, are accused of backing this decision,” he said, adding that the authorities have once again proven to be insensitive to religious diversity.

“It is indeed the whittling of pluralism in the country. Extremism has many manifestations and discrimination is being institutionalized,” Jacob told UCA News.

Saleem-ud-din, the Ahmadi community spokesperson, demanded justice from authorities in a Jan. 21 press release.

“This is a blatant display of the weakness of administration, and lawlessness. We had presented legal documents of the late Ahmadi who built [the worship venue] on a piece of land he owned and various local politicians had submitted written statements supporting our stand,” he said.

“The management of Bait Noor was under the Ahmadi community for 20 years after it was built in 1983,” he told UCA News. This was the 15th forcible occupation of an Ahmadi place of worship since the promulgation of Ahmadi-specific laws by President General Zia ul-Haq in 1984.

Under these laws, Ahmadis are prohibited from engaging in “anti-Islamic activities,” including propagating their faith, and using Muslim worship practices and greetings.

The Ahmadi movement was founded in the late 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

While all Muslims hold Jesus Christ in high regard as a prophet, the Ahmadis have the unique belief that he survived the crucifixion and traveled to India to continue his ministry among the Lost Tribes of Israel. They claim that a tomb containing his body has been discovered in India.

URL: www.ucanews.com/2010/01/25/ahmadi-property-seizure-alarms-minorities

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Ahmadi leader’s family offered to withdraw case: accused

---Daily Times, Pakistan
Friday, January 22, 2010

Ahmadi leader’s family offered to withdraw case: accused

*Claim they want Khatam-e-Nabuwat Youth Wing dismantled
*Family deny allegation, say accused conducting anti-Ahmadi propaganda

LAHORE: The four men accused of murdering Professor Muhammad Yousaf, an Ahmadi leader from Ferozewala, have claimed that the man’s family has offered to withdraw the case against them if the Khatam-e-Nabuwat Youth Wing (KNYW) is shut down. Muhammad Ahmed Faridi, Inamullah – the president of the KNYW — Ashraf and Haji Arshad, all currently being held at the Ferozwala Police Station, told Daily Times on Thursday that the complainant had sent them various messages, offering to withdraw the case against them provided that the men guaranteed that they quit the KNYW and dismantled its operations, a claim that the complainant denies. Faridi said Inamullah had been “indirectly” contacted by the complainant, with an offer to withdraw the case against the men if they would quit the KNYW. They said they would never quit the KNYW, going as far as saying that they would prefer to die before they thought of leaving the organisation. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Member of the Provincial Assembly Pir Ashraf Rasool, who is allegedly favouring the accused, told Daily Times that the complainant had asked him to offer the compromise to the accused. He said the accused had informed him that they were ready to face imprisonment or even the death sentence for the sake their beliefs. Fatehul Din, Yousaf’s son, told Daily Times that no one had made any such offer to the four men, adding that the accused were trying to divert attention from the real issue. He said they were trying to gain sympathy in the public and were trying to fuel public bias against Ahmadis. rana tanveer

URL: www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\01\22\story_22-1-2010_pg7_31

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Ahmadi leader’s murder in Ferozewala: Police yet to ‘book’ suspects in custody

--- Daily Times, Pakistan
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Ahmadi leader’s murder in Ferozewala : Police yet to ‘book’ suspects in custody
  • Men not produced in court, no paperwork against them yet
  • Bereaved family claims politicians ‘restraining’ police from taking action
  • DSP declines comment
By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: The ‘arrest’ of four people in connection with an Ahmadi leader’s murder was meant to merely pacify the bereaved family, as police have not made the case against them official, nor have their names been mentioned in any paperwork. In addition, the men are yet to be interrogated, Ferozewala police sources told Daily Times on Monday.

On January 13, Ferozewala police arrested Muhammad Ahmed Faridi, Inamullah, Ashraf and Haji Arshad, for their involvement in the January 5 murder of a local Ahmadi leader, Muhammad Yousaf.

Sources said police had arrested the men only to placate the aggrieved party, but had not fulfilled all the legal formalities.

They said certain influential individuals were pressing police not to book them and keep them in lock for some time before declaring them innocent and releasing them without presenting them in court.

When contacted, Ferozewala Deputy Superintendent of Police Tariq Gujjar avoided comment on the issue.

Fatehul Din, son of the slain Ahmadi leader Muhammad Yousaf, told Daily Times that police was using ‘delaying tactics’ to hush up the case. “The police are probably serious about pursuing the matter, but certain influential politicians are pressing them to hush it up.”

Din said he had even submitted a proof of the accused’s involvement in the case to the investigation officer, adding that he had pictures proving the men in custody were provoking locals against Ahmadis in the area.

He said there had been no development in the investigation as police had been restrained from performing their duties. Din said the accused were given ‘undue protocol’ at the police station.

His counsel, Muhammad Abu Bakar, told Daily Times that according to Section 167(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), police were bound to produce the accused before a magistrate for a physical remand within 24 hours of the arrest.

URL: www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\01\19\story_19-1-2010_pg13_4

Ahmadiyya mosque handed over to adversaries by DCO’s executive order

Ahmadiyya Foreign Missions Office, Vikalat Tabshir
Rabwah (Pakistan), Telephone: (047)6212326, Fax: (047) 6212296, Cables: TABSHIR

PRIORITY – Human RightsFAX
January 18, 2009

Another blow to critically depleted freedom of religion of Ahmadis
Ahmadiyya mosque handed over to adversaries by DCO’s executive order

At the orders of the District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Chiniot, Punjab, an Ahmadiyya mosque in Ahmad Nagar (near Rabwah) was handed over to non-Ahmadis on January 14, 2010 at the superficial excuse of “to pre-empt the extreme law and order disturbance”.

The mosque had been sealed by the police in 2003 on a similar excuse, and Ahmadis have remained deprived of their place of worship for over six years. Ahmadis reported the matter to the Chief Justice Lahore High Court in August last year. While an action by the honorable court was awaited, the mullas approached the provincial and district administration, and bullied their way to obtain a favorable decision that seriously violates the legal and human rights of Ahmadis. It is a deliberate and gross infringement of Ahmadis’ freedom of religion and worship.

This mosque was built by an Ahmadi, Mr. Wali Muhammad, at personal expense on his personal land, in 1982-1983. Its management was in Ahmadiyya hands for the next twenty years. Ahmadis routinely allow other Muslims the innocent use of their mosques; in fact they may allow worship to anyone therein who worships one God. As such, on occasions, a non-Ahmadi wayfarer or local also used this mosque for worship.

In 2003, Ahmadis undertook repairs to its depleted structure. When the repairs were nearing completion, an outsider mulla, Ghulam Mustafa, who lives in Muslim Colony (Chenab Nagar) 10 kilometers away, approached the police and claimed the mosque on the grounds that it had been used by Muslims. As is the wont with such religious bullies, he threatened violence. The police found it convenient to lock the mosque, with the promise to look in8to the rival claims subsequently.

The police were then presented by Ahmadis irrefutable evidence and documents of Mr. Wali Muhammad’s ownership of the land and the structure. The police SHO therefore categorically wrote in his report, on December 18, 2003: “In my opinion it is clear and there is no doubt that this mosque was built 18 or 20 years ago by Wali Muhammad Qadiani on his own land in his personal capacity. Muslims had no claim or role in it.”

Still the authorities did not restore the mosque back to Ahmadis. In June 2007, the District Police Officer asked a report from the DSP along with documentary evidence. This was provided by the official who concluded: “……As for this mosque/Bait uz Zikr, Ahmad Nagar, it is a property of Jamaat Ahmadiyya as per evidence.”

Despite the above conclusive finding the mosque was not unsealed. In 2009, the extremist religious elements initiated a drive threatening take over of the mosque by force if necessary. At this, Ahmadis complained to the Chief Justice LHC. His decision is awaited.

The mullas however decided not to wait for a judicial verdict. They issued threats to the administration, and have succeeded in obtaining a favorable decision through summary and unlawful methodology. It is a victory of blind religious extremism over fair and good governance.

The DCO’s Order and the justification given therein are typical of bureaucratic wangling and circumvention. It is reasonable to assume that he had orders from Lahore to do the mulla’s bid. He did not fail to send a copy of his Order direct to the (PS to) Chief Secretary in the provincial capital. In view of what happened in Gojra last year and to the Ahmadi school children of Layya, the Punjab Government’s policy is no secret. The chief minister’s statement, after the Gojra tragedy, is, however, worth quoting: “We do not have the right to rule if we cannot protect and provide justice to minorities”. (The Daily Times, Lahore; August 8, 2009) In view of the DCO’s Order and the chief minister’s statement one is reminded of a statement by Dr Israr Ahmad, a well-known Pakistani cleric: “Pakistanis as people are the greatest hypocrites in the world.” (The daily Pakistan, Lahore; January 5, 2009)

In case the government differs with our above assessment of the DCO’s Order, it should allow an independent inquiry of the issue by an impartial NGO or a judicious panel.

The DCO quoted the anti-Ahmadiyya constitutional amendment and Ordinance XX to justify his unsupportable action. But if there is a bad law, a good government tries to dampen its harmful effect by its enlightened interpretation. In this case, the DCO used a bad law to commit further grotesque violation of fundamental human rights of a marginalized community. The high-level judicial inquiry of the Gojra incident proposed amending the anti-Ahmadiyya laws as well, among others.

This wrong must be put right, otherwise the encouraged mulla will push for further victories, as he did in Swat last year.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - December, 2009

An aggressive incursion in Rabwah and its follow up

Rabwah: An incident occurred in Rabwah in the month of August this year which was not mentioned in the monthly News Report. It has left a trail that is loaded with mischief. The incident is mentioned below.

Two non-Ahmadi youth of the Muslim Colony (a colony established by authorities for non-Ahmadis on Rabwah land forcibly occupied by the government) were roaming around on a motor cycle near the Fazle Umar Hospital, Rabwah on August 7, 2009. An Ahmadi youth on duty at the location noted down the registration number of their vehicle. They took exception to this and were rough with him. They also called their friends on their mobile phone to come to where they were. One of them slapped an Ahmadi on his face; this resulted in a brawl. By this time some senior Ahmadis arrived and disengaged the two parties. The intruders misbehaved with them too.

The police came to know of this and sent for the two parties in the evening. Ahmadis presented themselves while the others did not turn up. At about 1:30 a.m. the police registered a case against 7 named and 3 unknown Ahmadis with FIR 364/09 under various sections of the PPC. The next day Ahmadi community officials complained to higher police officials who promised to look into the case. The FIR has since remained open, however.

The trouble-makers belong to the Niazi family of the Muslim Colony. On November 22 two of them came to the bazaar in Rabwah and insulted Mr. Abdus Samad, one of the Ahmadis accused in the FIR. Again they initiated a fight in which Mr. Muhammad Azam, an Ahmadi was hurt. A report was made to the police along with his medical certificate. The intruders fabricated a story and made their own report to the police.

There is a growing concern about such people coming over to Rabwah and fomenting trouble and disturbing the peace. They could be used as tools for some major incident by the crafty mullas of the Muslim Colony and other resident mullas whose main occupation is to create problems for the Ahmadi residents of this town.

Tense situation in Multan

Multan has been a centre of anti-Ahmadiyya activities for quite some time. Three Ahmadis were murdered in 2009 in this city alone. The affected families shifted to the Gulgasht Colony of the city, however the mulla persists in his drive against them. Ahmadi residents there are now living in fear and feel exposed to great harm all the time.

We mention here some incidents.
Some miscreants forced entry into the house of an Ahmadi office-bearer after the dawn prayer and waved a pistol at him.
A mulla came to the Ahmadiyya prayer centre in Gulgasht and tried to get some information about the centre and the community. When contacted, the ISI confirmed that he was wanted by the police. Bounty on his head is fixed at half a million rupees. He had been a member of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba and also of the Tahrik-e-Khatme Nabuwwat.
Murderers of three Ahmadis have been arrested by the police. They disclosed that they planned to blow up the Ahmadiyya prayer centre in Gulgasht Colony with dynamite. They would have undertaken it had they not been arrested. They declared their intention not to spare even Ahmadi children after their release.
A heavy police contingent arrived in the prayer centre under the command of a DSP. They remained there till dusk. They were in contact with their SP. They told Ahmadis that according to intelligence reports there was likelihood of an attack on the prayer centre by a vehicle loaded with explosives. They told Ahmadis to put up a barrier of sand and cement blocks around the prayer centre. An iron fence was placed around the mosque that night.
Several suspects have been arrested from the students’ hostel located near the Ahmadiyya prayer centre.
Miscreants come to the court where killers of Ahmadis are undergoing a trial. They attempt to harass witnesses.
An unknown person visited an Ahmadi office-bearer’s home and asked for information from the family’s maid regarding his timings and movements.

These incidents and others have precipitated a great deal of fear in the Ahmadi residents of the area. The stress and strain of the prevailing circumstances are most severe.

A conspiracy and malicious drive against the Ahmadiyya community

Lahore: Express TV aired an interview of one Abdur Rahman in its program Point Blank (Anchor: Lucman Mubashir) on December 21, 2009. In the video Abdur Rahman appeared to be grievously injured. He stated that he was a great-grand son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat) and a son of Mirza Nasir Ahmad (Khalifatul Masih III). He said that he had converted to Islam in 1999, and since then the community had viciously turned against him. He also made the accusation that while he was on his way to Ganga Ram Hospital, he was picked up by Ahmadis, beaten up severely and thrown by the roadside in a critical state, wherefrom he was recovered by some men of a nearby madrassah that belongs to Allama Zaheer. To this statement the anchorperson added that Muslims would powerfully support and protect all those who converted to Islam, etc.

Abdur Rahman’s statement was a lie and fabrication. He is neither the son of Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Khalifatul Masih III, nor the great-grand son of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The anchorperson and the TV channel became willing and knowingly partners to the conspiracy, and were guilty of agitating sectarianism loaded with mischief and dire consequences.

Mr. Saleem ud Din, the spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan issued a press release on this incident. It was published in the daily Alfazl of December 24, 2009. Its translation is given below:

The accusation of torture over conversion is baseless and is a conspiracy to spread agitation (Fitna) in the country against the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
The statement of one Abdur Rahman, aired by a TV channel is ridiculous. Khalifatul Masih III had no son of this name.
Press Release by Mr. Saleem-ud-Din, Nazir Umur Aama, spokesman of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya.
Rabwah (PR): The interview of one Abdur Rahman, aired by a Pakistani TV channel Express News in its program Point Blank is ridiculous and riddled with lies. Why was such baseless and ridiculous news broadcast without due enquiry; as well as published in the daily Express without due inquiry. According to Mr. Saleem ud Din Nazir Umur Aama, the spokesman of Jamaat Ahmadiyya, this news and interview is fabricated and false, and is a conspiracy to spread unrest in the country against the Jamaat.
According to the spokesman it is surprising that Abdur Rahman claimed to be a great-grand son of Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, and a son of Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, the Khalifatul Masih III. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the Jamaat, knows that Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad the Khalifatul Masih III had three sons, Mirza Anas Ahmad, Mirza Farid Ahmad and Mirza Luqman Ahmad; all three of whom are alive by the grace of God. Thus the claim of Abdur Rahman, and its transmission by the TV channel without prior confirmation from the concerned people is an open violation of journalistic ethics and sets a dreadful precedent. Abdur Rahman’s interview is self-contradictory; how come a responsible TV channel failed to notice this?
Mr. Saleem ud Din, the spokesman of Jamaat Ahmadiyya stated that Jamaat Ahmadiyya does not believe in any penalty for apostasy and strongly condemns those who propose punishment for this. Everyone is free to proclaim any belief that he or she considers to be true. History is a witness to the fact that converts to Ahmadiyyat have often suffered violence; while some have been put to death.
The spokesman further stated that Abdur Rahman’s statement appears to be a part of deeper conspiracy. The media should refrain from propagating something without due inquiry, as that may lead to unrest. In the present national situation, great care and a commitment to truth is needed.


Incident at Karachi

Karachi; November 12, 2009: An unknown man wearing dark brown clothes came to the Ahmadiyya Hall at about 4 p.m. and started abusing the founder of the Ahmadiyya community. The Hall is used by Ahmadis as a place of worship. Some neighbours took the initiative to calm him down, and took him away. Ten minutes later he returned and went away on his motorcycle, while still shouting abuse. Ahmadis felt concerned over this incident. They posted additional personnel on guard duty to ensure security.

Sindhi press tows the line of Urdu press

A Sindhi paper Dalat-Awaz published from Mithi, district Tharparkar, Sindh apparently has decided to follow the lead provided by the Urdu press in matters of religion. In its issue of July 25, 2009 it took up in a big way the case of Ahmadiyya and Christian activism in that region. While it is true that Christian and Ahmadi NGOs are providing much-needed commendable social and medical services in the area, the paper gave it entirely a religious colour and indulged in accusations that the two groups are involved in conversion efforts by hook or crook. It would be much better for Dalat-Awaz to urge other NGOs to excel the competitors in providing help and services to the area’s poor, rather than agitate the illiterate and excitable masses over the faith of the helpers.

Amendment proposed to blasphemy laws and anti-Ahmadiyya laws

Lahore: It is perhaps the first time since 1984 that an important official tribunal has proposed revision of blasphemy laws, anti-Ahmadiyya laws and a few other sections of the penal code related to religion. The tribunal headed by Mr. Iqbal Hameedur Rahman, a high court judge, inquiring into the tragedy at Gojra, in which 7 Christians died, included these recommendations in its report and urged the government to do the needful on ‘war footing’. Excerpts from a report published in the Daily Times of December 7, 2009 are produced below:

Gojra report proposes amending blasphemy laws

Tribunal calls for immediate action against those responsible — Calls for capacity building of law-enforcement agencies — Identifies factors that led to riots
Faisalabad: An inquiry report on riots in Gojra in August proposes amendments to the blasphemy laws.
An inquiry tribunal — headed by Lahore High Court Judge Iqbal Hameedur Rehman and tasked with looking into the tragedy that killed seven people — also warned the government on Sunday that “the Gojra tragedy must be taken seriously and the needful (should) be done on war-footing without further loss of time.”
The inquiry tribunal notes in the report that the country is already facing grave challenges in the form of terrorism and militancy — which, in addition to destroying the economy, have “disfigured our national image all over the world… we cannot afford any other menace, (such as) sectarian disputes.” It says efforts to control such unrest must begin immediately.
The 258-page report recommends action “without any discrimination against those responsible for commission and omission.”
The report also proposes amendments to Pakistan Penal Code sections 295, 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, 296, 297, 298, 298-A, 298-B, 298-C, anti-blasphemy laws, relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Police Order 2002….

The tribunal reached the conclusion that the riots were a result of the “inability of law-enforcement agencies to assess the gravity of the situation, inadequate precautionary and preventive measures taken by law-enforcement agencies, a luke-warm stance by the Toba Tek Singh DPO, the failure of intelligence agencies in providing prompt and correct information, a defective security plan, the irresponsible behaviour of the administration, the complete failure of police while discharging their duties, the non-enforcement of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, omissions to take steps under sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC, the lack of a decision to invoke the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 1960 – which amounts to letting the miscreants loose to wreak havoc during the course of the riots – and several other factors.” APP

The reality of some ‘Ulama Karam’

Taba Tek Singh: The government of Punjab has forbidden 30 Ulama and Zakirs from entering the district of Toba Tek Singh in view of the threat to peace during the month of Muharam. The list includes among others, Maulana Fazlur Rahman. Most of these clerics are regular participants in anti-Ahmadiyya conferences held every year in Rabwah. It is fair to ask that if these clerics are a threat to peace in Toba Tek Singh, why are they allowed to gather in district Chiniot (at Rabwah) to endanger the peace there. Also, at higher political stage, how come that a person like Maulvi Fazlur Rahman, who is a threat to social and religious peace in the Punjab, was nominated to the second highest post in the parliament of the country i.e. Leader of the Opposition. Obviously, the national policy at the top is confused or self-serving. These mullas deserve not only to be kept away from the people of Toba Tek Singh, but also from the people of Pakistan. Below we produce a translation of the press report published in the daily Waqt, Lahore of December 9, 2009:


30 Ulama and Zakirs’ entry banned in Toba Tek Singh. Maulana Fazlur Rahman included.

Toba Tek Singh (On line): The provincial government of the Punjab has forbidden the entry of 30 Ulama and Zakirs in district Toba Tek Singh in order to ensure peace and security during the month of Muharram-ul-Haram. These include Maulana Fazlur Rahman chief of the JUI, Alama Sajid Naqvi a leader of Tehrik Jafria, Maulana Muhamamd Ahmad Ludhianwi of the banned Tanzim Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat and others of various sects. Others who face this ban include Hafiz Abdul Alim Yazdani, Maulanas Bahadur Ali Saif, Shabir Hussain, Abdul Khaliq Rehmani, Dr Khadim Hussain Dhilon, Maulana Muhammad Alam Tariq, Sahibzadah Zahid Mahmud Qasimi, Maulana Aurangzeb, Qari Abdul Hay Abid, Maulana Abdus Sattar Taunsvi, Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Tahir Farooqui, Allama Zahid ur Rashidi, Syed Ataul Moheman Bokhari, Syed Abdul Majeed Nadeem, Maulanas Abdul Tawwab Achhravi, Muhammad Rafiq Jami, Allah Wasaya, Khalifa Abdul Qayyum, Maulana Abdul Ghafur Jhangvi, Prof. Saeed Ahmad Asad, Zakirs Fazal Abbas, Anwar Ali, Safdar Hussain Sial, Ghulam Hussain Najfi, Gulfam Hussain Hashmi, Munawwar Abbas Alavi and Khaliq Asadi.

Note: The majority of the Ulama mentioned above are regular speakers in conferences held in Rabwah.

Concerns about a provocative pamphlet

Rabwah: A highly provocative pamphlet, naming “Qadianion ka ta‘aruf” (Introduction of Qadianis) has been distributed widely in the district of Khanewal and its suburbs. The central office of Ahmadiyya community took notice and brought it to the notice of authorities. Translation of this letter is given below:

Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah (Pakistan)
h: 047-6212459
Fax 047-6215459
E-mail: nuasaa@hotmail.com
Sir,
Salutation
We hope that you are well.
A highly provocative pamphlet “Qadianion ka ta‘aruf” (Introduction of Qadianis) is attached (not included here). It has been widely distributed in district Khanewal and its suburbs. It bears provocative writings against Ahmadis. It carries writings out-of-context which are presented in a harmful way to motivate general public to target Ahmadis.
It is worth noting that the allegations against Ahmadis are false. All Ahmadis, by the grace of God, revere all the prophets of God and have the highest respect and veneration for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and could never think of committing such blasphemy. All decent citizens condemn such offensive actions, but there are still fanatic groups who are using the sacred name of religion to promote sectarian hatred. They refer to such anti-Ahmadi actions as their ‘holy duty’. There is a high risk of an unpleasant occurrence as a result of this incitement.
109 Ahmadis have been killed since the promulgation of the Anti-Ahmadiyya ordinance in 1984. This year alone 14 Ahmadis have been killed for their faith, while several others escaped from murder attempts.
The present sensitive situation in the country requires that these elements be handled firmly. Unfortunately repeated reminders to the government have not triggered any effective action by authorities.
This is dispatched for appropriate action by the authorities without further delay.

Sincerely,

Saleem uddin
Director of Public Affairs
Rabwah (Chenab Nagar) District Jhang

Questionable conduct of the Punjab government

Lahore: During the year 2009, numerous incidents occurred in the Punjab that had a direct or indirect bearing on the Ahmadiyya issue. Here we mention only three of those where the provincial government was directly involved, and offer a comment in the interest of all concerned. These incidents are, 1) Holding of a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference in the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore by the Auqaf Department, 2) Banning the Ulama’s entry in various districts of the Punjab, and 3) An announcement of the Mutahiddah Ulama Board through the Auqaf Department of the Government of the Punjab.

In the recent month of Muharram, the government took note of the serious threat to communal harmony and thereby to law and order in the province, and issued orders to ban a large number of ‘Ulama Karam’ to enter the province or to move from one district to another. Most of these ulama who were directed to stay put in their own residential districts were forbidden to address public gatherings (zuban bandi). All this was done to maintain peace and order, and was accepted by all concerned as an essential administrative measure. A few headlines from the press regarding this order are recorded below.
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Punjab bans entry of 190 clerics from other provinces.
The Daily Times, Lahore; December 26, 2009
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Yom Ashur: 20 ulama recommended for detention.
105 ulama made to sign bond of good conduct in sectarian issues.
The daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2009
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151 Ulama’s entry banned in Faisalabad
The daily News; Lahore, December 12, 2009
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46 Ulama banned to enter (District) Chiniot
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 16, 2009
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30 Ulama Karam and Zakir’s entry forbidden in District Toba. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Sajid Naqvi and Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi also banned. Restrictions imposed for 3 months.
The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 9, 2009

In the last week of December, the Department of Auqaf arranged a Joint Announcement (Mushtarka Elamia) by the Mutahiddah Ulama Board and had it published in the press as a paid public ad. It was entitled, Do not give up your own beliefs (and) Do not infringe upon the beliefs of others (Apne maslak ko na choro Kisi aur ke maslak ko na chero). This announcement was drafted in a meeting chaired by ‘Khadim Pubjab’ Mian Shahbaz Sharif on December 13, 2009. The announcement expressed heartfelt pain and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in suicide bombings in Moon Market Lahore, Multan Cantt, Parade Line Rawalpindi and Khosa Market DG Khan etc. The announcement formulated a Code of Conduct (Zabita Akhlaq) and had it published. One of the items of the code read (translation): Islam also teaches regard for the People of the Book (Ahle kitab) and Non-Muslims. Therefore the Ulama should lay special stress on tolerance (rawadari) and unity, and should abstain fully from mutual incriminating edicts (fatwa bazi) etc.

However, earlier this year the same Auqaf Department sponsored, held and funded a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference at Lahore on April 11, 2009. It invited a large number of ulama including many of those who are now banned to enter other districts or are forbidden to speak at public meetings. The venue was decorated with banners that supported the Swat Deal (with Mulla Fazlullah), the imposition of Shariah etc. The speakers upheld the so-called Nizam-e-Adal. One of them said: “We are ready for total destruction of Qadianis in the country.” Another said: “Every last drop of blood should be shed for the sake of End of Prophethood”. One of the resolutions passed at the conference was: All the ulama should devote at least one Friday sermon every month to the issue of Khatme Nabuwwat. An effigy of the holy founder of the Ahmadiyya community was burnt at the opening of the conference.

With these kinds of gatherings taking place with official support, the government of the Punjab should not be surprised with incidents like the bombings in Moon Market, Multan Cantt, Parade Line and Khosa Market. The pious announcement of the Mutahiddah Ulama Board could not dissuade the bomber and his backers from the attack on a Muharram procession in Karachi that resulted in 45 deaths, burning of 2500 shops, attacks on vehicle, police stations and banks etc, loss of Rs. 30 billion and 10,000 jobs.

The Quran, in its great wisdom, sets forth parables regarding important policies:

Dost thou not see how God sets forth a parable of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches reach into heavens. It brings forth its fruit at all times by the command of its Lord. And God sets forth parables for men that they may be reminded.
And the case of an evil word is like that of an evil tree, which is uprooted from above the earth and has no stability.
Al-Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim
Prolonged prosecution comes to end

A fifteen years old case under PPC 295-A has come to an end — at last.

Nine Ahmadis of Pattoki were charged for putting up a banner in their street regarding the fulfillment of a prophecy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) regarding solar and lunar eclipses on the given dates in support of the Mahdias. The case was registered by the police, on February 23, 1994. Two of the accused died during the course of the prosecution, while six fled and sought shelter in foreign countries. Only one accused, Mr. Abdul Mujeeb continued to face a trial. At last, on 15 December, 2009 the Judicial Magistrate acquitted him.

It is worth noting that the administration and the police in the country charged nine persons for putting up a banner that a prophecy of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was fulfilled a hundred years ago. The state prosecuted all the nine accused, pursued the case for 15 years only to find that the judge was neither convinced nor impressed by the charges. What a criminal waste of public resources!

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 currently incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal has been filed 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; Mr. Basharat, Mr. Nasir Ahmad and Mr. Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murdering a cleric. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet they faced a ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged ‘eye-witnesses’ (who were discredited in court), seven of the accused were acquitted, but on the same evidence these three innocent Ahmadis were sentenced to death. They are being held on death row at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. They are now in the seventh 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. The Supreme Court has directed his expeditious trial which is now in progress. At the close of the year, it is learnt that the Supreme Court has accepted his bail, but he was yet to be released.

From the Press


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Blasphemy accused gets life imprisonment (under PPC 295B)
The daily News; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Gojra report proposes amending blasphemy laws. The report also proposes amendments to Pakistan Penal Code sections 295, 295A, 295B, 295C, 296, 297, 298, 298A, 298B, 298C, anti-blasphemy laws, relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and Police Order 2002.
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 7, 2009

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Suicide attacks are Haram (forbidden category). Such attackers are outside the pale of Islam. — Islamic Ideology Council
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 10, 2009

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The US is waging war against Islam and Islamic culture, in the name of terrorism. — Munawar Hasan (JI)
The daily Ausaf; Lahore, December 1, 2009
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Residents, FPI (Islamic Defenders Front) raid Ahmadiyya members
South Jakarta police secured six Ahmadiyya followers inside Tebet police station on Friday….
Salim Alatas, a deputy head of the FPI Jakarta chapter, admitted the hardline group had initiated the raid. He said FPI would demand the police detain the Ahmadis for violating the joint ministerial decree on religious blasphemy.
The daily Jakarta Post 12.11.2009

(Comment: Extremism taking roots in Indonesia. Pakistan is enough for world comity http://alamsyahdjafar.wordpress. com)

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World, Vatican criticize Swiss minaret ban
The daily News; Lahore, December 1, 2009

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Qadianis visiting India should not be allowed to return. — (Mulla) Allah Yar Arshad
The daily Waqt; Lahore, December 21, 2009

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Model Town: Qadianis have taken up Muslims’ mode of worship. Citizen in protest. Action must be taken. — Alami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat
The daily Ausaf; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Terror incidents claimed 3,300 lives this year
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 31, 2009

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Terror hits 3 provincial capitals. Twin blasts kill 10 in Lahore.
The daily Nation; Lahore, December 8, 2009

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12 killed as Taliban target ISI in Multan. Lahore bombing toll rises to 54
The Daily Times; Lahore, December9, 2009

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Suicide attack outside Khosa’s house kills 33 (in D.G. Khan)
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 16, 2009

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12 killed in Lower Dir suicide bombing. At least 35 injured, some said to be in critical condition.
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 19, 2009

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Suicide bomber kills ANP lawmaker (in Swat)
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 2, 2009

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Operation Rahe Nejat: 589 terrorists killed, 79 troops martyred.
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 10, 2009

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Boys college blown up in Bara
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 19, 2009

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276 Ulama and Zakirs face external and local restrictions in NWFP and Sindh
The daily Din; Lahore, December 16, 2009

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Punjab bans entry of 190 clerics from other provinces.
The Daily Times, Lahore; December 26, 2009

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Yom Ashur: 20 ulama recommended for detention.
105 ulama made to sign bond of good conduct in sectarian issues.
The daily Waqt, Lahore; December 24, 2009

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151 Ulama’s entry banned in Faisalabad
The daily News; Lahore, December 12, 2009

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46 Ulama banned to enter (District) Chiniot
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 16, 2009
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30 Ulama Karam and Zakir’s entry forbidden in District Toba. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Sajid Naqvi and Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianwi also banned. Restriction imposed for 3 months.

The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 9, 2009

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Karachi blast: Death toll rises to 45
2500 shops, vehicles, police stations, banks set on fire. Rs. 30 billion loss.
The daily Jang; Lahore, December 30, 2009

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Taliban attack Masjid. 36 namazis killed as high-profile army officers targeted in Rawalpindi
The Daily Times; Lahore, December 5, 2009

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Babar Awan has put us to shame by taking bribe. He should be punished for his criminal act. Lawyers. Babar Awan should resign in consequence of the discovery that his PhD is fake. — N. League
The daily Jinnah; Lahore, December 7, 2009

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The federal government has doubled the annual allocation for the upkeep and maintenance of the worship places for religious minorities – from Rs. 75 million to Rs. 150 million
The daily Frontier Post; Lahore, December 5, 2009

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List of 992 missing people issued (by Balochistan home department)
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 3, 2009

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Liquor death toll rises to 26 in Multan
The daily Dawn; Lahore, December 23, 2009

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The Quaid desired Pakistan to be a secular republic, not an Islamic republic.
Mullas compelled Bhutto to include the words Islamic Republic in the 1973 constitution. The condition that one must be a Muslim to be president or prime minister is also undemocratic. — Senator Haji Adeel (of ANP)
The daily Pakistan; Lahore, December 26, 2009

Op-eds
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Gojra accused
…But Gojra is a tragedy that calls for a zero-tolerance approach: the full extent of the law has to be applied to anyone who commited a crime of commission or omission. Let some of the suspects go punished and the message will be clear to violent bigots elsewhere; their crimes may also go unpunished. (sic) Logically, then another Gojra could only by a matter of time.
Editorial in the Dawn; December 16, 2009
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Islam not ‘violent by nature’
Culp should know that anyone who believes that it is OK to lie cannot be believed at all, as how can we tell whether such a person is not telling a lie about lying? Culp needs to look at the Islam of the predominant majority of Muslims who do not believe that lying is OK, and only that can be a believable representation of Islam.
For a person looking for an unbiased, non-hate opinion on Islam, Karen Arustrong’s various publications are a good source. Hate pages abound on the internet; hate talk often surfaces on airwaves; the written world is polluted by it sometimes. But that is not what free America desires.
Published December 06, 2009 in Forum, Fargo ND USA

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Swiss fall to racist panic
The current worldwide uproar against Switzerland for banning minarets on Muslim mosques is the latest malediction to hit the Helvetic Republic…. As I’ve been writing for years, hate and fear of Muslims is the modern version of 1930s anti-Semitism. Just as Nazis denounced Jews as malevolent, dangerous sub-humans, today’s Western rightwingers, Christian fundamentalists, neo-conservatives have simply changed the labels to Muslims for Jews…. Most Swiss women who only got to vote in 1971, had no idea the Balkan Muslim women in Switzerland are as liberated as they are. I still have deep love for Switzerland, the country of my youth. But those who want a ‘Muslim frei’ Switzerland have dishonoured their nation.
Eric Margolis in Toronto Sun reproduced in the Daily Times of December 14, 2009
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Minaret referenda
The strange thing is that the countries which give themselves the right to issue lists naming countries practicing religious discrimination against followers of other religions have not taken the trouble to add Switzerland to the list of countries which discriminate on religious grounds against Muslims in Switzerland. Neither did they criticize the debate going on against Muslims in France and Europe in general, which in itself is a form of racial discrimination against Muslims who are citizens of these countries and should enjoy citizenship rights, including the freedom of worship and freedom of religious affiliation.
Ms Bouthaina Shaaban in the Daily Times, December 9, 2009
 
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