PAKISTAN: Three more Ahmadis murdered in target killings. No arrests have yet been made

---AHRC, Hong Kong

Asian Human Rights Commission — Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-STM-054-2010
April 07, 2010

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

PAKISTAN: Three more Ahmadis murdered in target killings. No arrests have yet been made

Three more Ahmadis, including two brothers, were killed for their religious belief in target killings by unknown persons in Faisalabad city, a province of Punjab. This year so far, five Ahmadis have been killed whereas in the year 2009 eleven Ahmadis were murdered in target killings. Police have yet to investigate the incidents of killings.

Ahmadis have been declared a minority Muslim sect by the Pakistani constitution in 1974. Ever since, they are persecuted by different Muslim sects and Islamic political parties. The Ahmadis are not entitled to minority rights, nor do they have a right to vote in the general elections.

On April 1, at around 10:00 p.m., Sheikh Ashraf Pervaiz and Sheikh Masood Javaid, sons of late Sheikh Bashir Ahmad; and Asif Masood son of Sheikh Masood Javaid closed their businesses -Murad Cloth House and Murad Jewellers situated in Rail Bazaar, Faisalabad. They were on their way home when their car reached Faisal Hospital, Canal Road where there was a white car waiting. Four or five persons jumped out of the white car and started shooting indiscriminately at the businessmen. As a result, all three were seriously injured and died on the way to hospital.

The province of Punjab is on the brink of a one-sided persecution. Ahmadis are being arrested under Blasphemy laws. Conferences are held to incite hatred and instigate the common people of Pakistan to attack Ahmadis. The provincial government has already declared Ahmadis as Wajabi Qatl (liable to be murdered). In the month of February, the Punjab government released notorious murderers belonging to a banned religious group, the Sipahe Shaba Pakistan (SSP). The provincial government used them during the bye elections in two different electoral constituencies. They were the foot soldiers of the provincial law minister.

The government of the Punjab sponsored and held an ‘End of the prophet hood’ conference at the Badshahi Mosque in the provincial capital city of Lahore on April 11, 2009. On this occasion, they also burnt an effigy of the founder of the Ahmadiyya community. Clerics, one after another, unrestrainedly proposed the denial of religious freedom to Ahmadis and indulged in slander and abuse. The conference was paid for with public funds. The federal Minister of Religious Affairs also addressed the conference.

In a recent incident, the sessions court of Mirpukhas district, Sindh province, awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs. 50,000 each on three Ahmadis, Mr. Masood Chandio, Mr. Abdul Khaliq and Mr. Abdul Ghani on the basis of a complaint of a fundamental religious group that these persons were impersonating as Muslims and preaching Islam.

The Asian Human Rights Commission is shocked at the killings of persons from religious minority groups, particularly of Ahmadi community. The community has not only stopped all religious activities but also changed the names of their mosqes. Every government, whether it’s military or civilian, in political expediency, were always frightened of the Muslim religious groups that hated religious minority groups.

The attitudes of the courts are not different from the militant Muslim religious groups in dealing with the Ahmadis. It is observed very commonly that courts never allow the Ahmadis to clear their position during the hearings.

The Asian Human Rights Commission urges upon the government to ensure that all the rights of minorities are protected under the international laws including the right to perform their religious duties.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

URL: www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2010statements/2491/

3 Ahmadi Muslim Killed in Pakistan in Barbaric Attack

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

LONDON, 4 April 2010

PRESS RELEASE
3 Ahmadi Muslim Killed in Pakistan in Barbaric Attack

These killings were utterly barbaric. All three Ahmadis were extremely good natured and righteous persons.

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that on 1st April 2010 three members of its community in Faisalabad, Pakistan were killed in a barbaric attack. The Ahmadis were killed for no other reason than the fact that they were Ahmadi. There should be no doubt that these were targeted killings which took place in response to the continued rallies of anti-Ahmadi fanatical groups who continue to preach that those who kill or harm Ahmadis will be rewarded by God. Such fanatics are murdering in God’s name despite the fact that they have not even a single ounce of honour or decency. Indeed they are infused by nothing but hatred and jealousy.

The three Ahmadis killed were all part of the same family. The deceased were Mr Sheikh Ashraf Parvez (60), Mr Sheikh Masood Jawed (57) and Mr Asif Masood (24). Sheikh Ashraf Parvez and Sheikh Masood Jawed were brothers and Asif Masood was the son of Sheikh Masood Jawed.

At around 10pm local time on 1st April the three Ahmadis were returning home in their car from the shops ‘Murad Cloth House’ & ‘Murad Jewellers’ which they run and formed their long term family business. These shops are based in the Rail Bazaar in Faisalabad. As the car reached Canal Road, near the Faisal Hospital, waiting for them were four or five persons parked in a white car. Suddenly those inside the white car started firing at the car of the Ahmadis and all three Ahmadis were seriously injured. The attackers fled the scene. Before reaching the hospital all three Ahmadis died.

Sheikh Ashraf Parvez is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
 
Sheikh Masood Jawed is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
 
Asif Masood is survived by his wife and infant daughter.
 

Recently Faisalabad has become increasingly dangerous for Ahmadis with continued anti-Ahmadiyya propaganda and planned violent attacks. These three killings follow on from the recent murder of another Ahmadi, Mr Laiq Ahmad, in Faisalabad.

Speaking about the murders in Faisalabad, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This incident causes the utmost grief; these killings were utterly barbaric. All three Ahmadis were extremely good natured and righteous persons. May Allah elevate the status of the deceased in heaven and grant patience to those who have been bereaved.”

He continued:

“Faisalabad has recently become a place of much anti-Ahmadiyya agitation. Ahmadis are being targeted and either kidnapped or killed… If Ahmadis are being killed then they are being killed for a purpose. Every murder becomes a means of success for our community. These three martyrs and all other Ahmadi martyrs will continue to live forever… I would like to however warn Ahmadis in Pakistan, particularly those who live in areas where cruelty is prevalent, to take care in their daily travels. May Allah protect all Ahmadis.”

Abid Khan, Tel: +44(0)208 5447613 +44(0)7795490682,

Email: press at ahmadiyya.org.uk