Another Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

5th September 2011 PRESS RELEASE

Another Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

Naseem Ahmad Butt (55), was martyred in Faisalabad

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat hereby confirms that on 4 September 2011, a well-known and respected Ahmadi Muslim, Mr Naseem Ahmad Butt (55), was martyred in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Naseem Ahmad Butt was sleeping in his home in Muzzaffar Colony, Faisalabad when four unknown assailants jumped over the wall of his home and fired at him. He was shot in his stomach and chest. The assailants immediately fled the scene.

Naseem Ahmad Butt was left critically injured and was taken to hospital. Despite attempts to revive him, he passed away at approximately 9am local time.

Naseem Ahmad Butt was a peaceful and law abiding citizen who was kind and generous to all. He served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with great distinction throughout his life.

He is survived by his wife, four daughters and one son. He has been buried at Bahishti Maqbara, Rabwah.

The Press Spokesman of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abid Khan said:

“The religious extremists within Pakistan have taken yet another innocent life. What they perhaps fail to realise is that through their actions they are harming the entire peace and stability of Pakistan as a whole. Hatred and persecution of any organisation or group must be condemned by all those who believe in tolerance and love for humanity. Such attacks serve only to destabilise society and to spread discord”

This latest murder continues the trend of Ahmadi Muslims being targeted in Faisalabad. One year ago, a cousin of the deceased, Mr Naseer Ahmad Butt was also martyred in a brutal and barbaric fashion. Furthermore, recently leaflets were openly distributed in the city, stating that the killing of Ahmadi Muslims was worthy of praise and would be rewarded by God. These leaflets contained the names and addresses of various Ahmadi Muslims and it seems that this latest killing was likely motivated by such hate propaganda.

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. If such hatred and sectarianism is allowed to continue then it is inevitable that further tragedies will occur.

22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL UK
Tel/Fax: 020 8544 7613 Mob: 077954 90682
Email: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk
Press Secretary AMJ International

Another Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

13th July 2011 PRESS RELEASE

Another Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

Hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan continues to spread and leads to such tragic incidents

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat hereby confirms that on 11 July 2011, a well-known and respected Ahmadi lawyer, Mr Malik Mabroor Ahmad (50), was martyred in Nawab Shah, Sindh.

At approximately 8.15pm local time, Malik Mabroor Ahmad was shot point blank near his office by an unidentified gunman. Upon hearing the gunfire, the brother of the deceased, Malik Waseem Ahmad, rushed to the scene, however by the time he had arrived Malik Mabroor Ahmad had already passed away.

Malik Mabroor Ahmad was a peaceful and law abiding citizen and a renowned lawyer. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

The spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Abid Khan said:

“Hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan continues to spread and leads to such tragic incidents. Hatred and persecution of any organisation or group must be condemned by all those who believe in tolerance and love for humanity. Such attacks serve only to destabilise society and to spread discord.”

Malik Mabroor Ahmad was very well respected amongst the local community and was known for his kindness. He served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with great distinction throughout his life.

A number of prominent Ahmadi Muslims have been martyred in Sindh Province over the past few years but those responsible have not been brought to justice and remain at large.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat calls on the international community and media to highlight the continued persecution of minorities in Pakistan. If such hatred and sectarianism is allowed to continue then it is inevitable that further tragedies will occur.

22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL UK
Tel/Fax: 020 8544 7613 Mob: 077954 90682
Email: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk
Press Secretary AMJ International

Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

21st March 2011 PRESS RELEASE

Ahmadi Muslim killed in Pakistan

Rana Zafarullah of Sanghar, Sindh Province was martyred outside of his home

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat hereby confirms that on 18th March 2011, Mr Rana Zafarullah (39) of Sanghar, Sindh Province was martyred outside of his home.

On the day of the attack, Rana Zafarullah was returning from a local Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat event and when he reached his home two unknown persons on a motorcycle were waiting for him. They immediately started firing at him and he received at least 3 bullets to his face. The assailants immediately fled the scene. Rana Zafarullah was severely injured and passed away en-route to hospital.

The deceased was martyred solely for the reason that he was an Ahmadi Muslim. He was very well respected amongst the local community and was known for his kindness. He served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with great distinction and at the time of his passing he held a number of offices within the community.

The deceased is survived by his wife, his two young daughters (3years and 1year), his mother and his two brothers. He is the 205th Ahmadi Muslim to be martyred in Pakistan since anti-Ahmadi laws came into force in Pakistan in 1984.

In response to this latest martyrdom, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“May Allah elevate the status of Rana Zafarullah in heaven and may He protect his wife and children and grant them patience at this time.

This is the fifth martyrdom to take place in Sanghar in recent history. It is a relatively small Jamaat but it terms of its sacrifices it is amongst the very highest. May Allah protect all Ahmadi Muslims in that region.”

22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL UK
Tel/Fax: 020 8544 7613 Mob: 077954 90682
Email: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk
Press Secretary AMJ International

Ahmadi Muslim brutally killed in Pakistan

27th December 2010 PRESS RELEASE

Ahmadi Muslim brutally killed in Pakistan

Sheikh Omar Javed of Mardan was martyred on
23 December 2010

It is with great sadness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat hereby confirms that Mr Sheikh Omar Javed of Mardan, Pakistan was martyred on 23 December 2010.

The facts of the cases are as follows:

Sheikh Omar Javed was returning home from work with his father and cousin in their family car at around 6.45pm when unknown assailants, on a motorbike, started firing at their car. Sheikh Omar Javed was in the backseat and was shot both in the head and in the chest. He died there and then and thus was martyred. The assailants fled the scene immediately, having fired around 17 or 18 bullets.

The father and cousin of Sheikh Omar Javed were also injured, however both are expected to make full recoveries.

Sheikh Omar Javed is survived by his wife, who is expecting their first child.

Other members of Sheikh Omar Javed’s family have also been martyred in recent times. On 3rd September 2010, Sheikh Amir Raza was martyred during the suicide bomb attack that took place on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat mosque in Mardan. Then on 8 November 2010 Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad was also martyred in Mardan. A member of this family was also martyred back in 1974, the year in which Ahmadi Muslims were declared non-Muslim in Pakistan.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, said:

“Despite the numerous martyrdoms that have befallen this family, they continue to bear these great difficulties with bravery and patience. After the last martyrdom, in November, I spoke to the family members and it was with great courage and strength that they all expressed their feelings and emotions. May Allah elevate the status of the deceased and grant patience to his loved ones.”

22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL UK
Tel/Fax: 020 8544 7613 Mob: 077954 90682
Email: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk
Press Secretary AMJ International

Ahmadi killed in suicide bomb attack in Mardan

FLASH-Human Rights

FAX September 5, 2010

Ahmadi killed in suicide bomb attack in Mardan

Ahmadiyya mosque in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was attacked by two terrorists at about 1:05 p.m. on September 3, 2010. One Ahmadi, Sheikh Amir Raza was martyred during this attack, whilst further loss was prevented by the bravery of Ahmadis charged with securing the premises. The police, despite the threat to the mosque, had provided no official security guards to the mosque even during Friday prayers.

As the terrorists threw a grenade, Ahmadi volunteer guards fired at them and injured one of them. At this one of them beat the retreat while the other persisted in his attack. He failed to enter the mosque, so blew himself up in a huge explosion at the parameter. Consequently the mosque gate and the outer wall were destroyed. This resulted in serious injuries to Mr Raza who died on the way to hospital. Three other Ahmadis Fahim Khan, Taufeeq Ahmad and Imran Javed were injured in the heinous attack.

Sheikh Amir Raza is survived by his wife, a nine years old son and an infant daughter.

The Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Jamaat stated in his Friday sermon, inter alia:

“May God quickly save our country from the acts of such evil persons and groups. Indeed, I pray that He saves the entire world because such evil has spread throughout the world.”

Ahmadi Muslim Killed in Suicide Bomb Attack in Pakistan

4th September 2010 PRESS RELEASE

Another Ahmadi Muslim Killed in Suicide Bomb Attack in Pakistan

May God quickly save our country from the acts of such evil persons and groups.

It is with great regret that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that yesterday, 3rd September 2010 its Bait-ul-Zikr mosque in Mardan, Pakistan was attacked by two terrorists. One Ahmadi Muslim, Sheikh Amir Raza was martyred during this attack, whilst further loss was prevented by the bravery of the Ahmadi Muslims charged with securing the premises.

FACTS

On 3rd September 2010 at around 1.05pm local time Mr Ata-ul Hameed was leading the Friday prayers at the Bait-ul-Zikr mosque at Muslimabad, Canal Road, Mardan when two unknown terrorists tried to enter the premises.

Initially one of the attackers threw a grenade towards the Mosque entrance which landed a few metres away. Upon seeing this, the Ahmadi Muslims near the entrance went into the mosque and locked the door from the inside.

Due to the bravery of further Ahmadi security personnel one of the attackers was injured and so he retreated. However the other began to fire his gun indiscriminately. He again tried to enter the mosque but was prevented from doing so by the Ahmadis on duty. Seeing that he would not be able to enter the mosque the terrorist chose to detonate a bomb hidden inside his jacket in a suicide attack. The effect of the explosion was massive and due to the impact the mosque gate and the outer wall were both destroyed. The homes of Ahmadis who lived nearby were also damaged by the explosion. Upon the explosion the other terrorist who had retreated ran away and remains unaccounted for.

Inside the mosque building at the end of a small corridor is a small room where final security checking takes place. At the time of the attack Sheikh Amir Raza was on duty in that room. When he heard firing he closed the inner door in an effort to protect the worshippers who had come for Friday prayers and also to prevent either of the terrorists from entering into the mosque area. However when the suicide bomber blew himself up the blast was so severe that it caused the door and wall of the room Sheikh Amir Raza was in to collapse. As it fell the door struck Sheikh Amir Raza and he was seriously injured. Tragically, on the way to hospital Sheikh Amir Raza succumbed to the injuries and was thus martyred.

Sheikh Amir Raza was 40 years old and was the son of the late Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad. He was a much loved and dedicated member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. He had an electronics business and also worked for a food items agency.

Sheikh Amir Raza is survived by his wife, Lubna Amir, his son Usama (9) and infant daughter.

Three other Ahmadi Muslims were also injured in this heinous attack. They are Fahim Ahmad Khan, Taufeeq Ahmad and Imran Jawed.

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said in his Friday Sermon of 3rd September 2010:

“Today we received very sad news that during the Friday prayers our Mosque in Mardan was attacked by terrorists. One person was martyred and some others were injured. May Allah elevate the status of the martyr and grant full recovery to those who were injured.”

His Holiness went on to say:

“What type of people are these, who in the name of Islam and in the name of God perpetrate such evil acts? These people who attack worshippers of God in His name can under no circumstances claim to be Godly. Just two days ago there was also an attack on a Shia religious procession in Lahore in which many innocent people were killed and many others were injured. May God quickly save our country from the acts of such evil persons and groups. Indeed I pray that He saves the entire world because such evil has spread throughout the world.”

22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL UK
Tel/Fax: 020 8544 7613 Mob: 077954 90682
Email: press @ ahmadiyya.org.uk
Press Secretary AMJ International

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.

# # #
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/