State of Selangor, Malaysia issues notice to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat to remove the ‘Kalima Shahada’ from its central mosque

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) 077 954 90682
Email: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Web: Alislam.org

30 December 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Earlier today, the local administration (MPS) in the State of Selangor, Malaysia issued the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with a notice to remove the ‘Kalima Shahada’ from its central mosque within two days.

This notice follows a series of statements given in the local media by Dr Hassan Mohamed Ali a State Official in opposition to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat condemns this latest act which confirms the rising persecution of its Jamaat in Malaysia. The Kalima Shahada is the basic creed of belief for each and every Muslim and thus being forced to remove this from its Mosque violates the right of Ahmadi Muslims to express their religion freely and without interference.

It is hoped that the State authorities retract from their victimisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, which is and always has been, a peaceful community whose members are totally loyal to their respective Governments.

End of Release

Further Info: Abid Khan (44) 07795490682 / press@ahmadiyya.org.uk

Monthly Newsreport — November, 2008

Ahmadi community official assassinated

Burewala, District Vehari; November 18, 2008: Unknown pillion riders murdered Mr. Muhammad Ghazanfar Chattha, Ahmadi, in Burewala on November 18, 2008.

Mr. Chattha was an Inspector Finance in the community organization. He was visiting the district president of the Ahmadiyya community when unknown assailants fired at him. He died on the spot. The assassins fled after the attack.

He is survived by his wife, one teen-aged son and three daughters. Two of the daughters are college students, while the third suffers from a mental illness.

This is the sixth Ahmadi death for their faith this year. Since the promulgation of anti-Ahmadi Ordinance XX in 1984 Mr. Chattha has become the 96th Ahmadi to die at the hands of violent extremists and criminals.

Rawalpindi; November 8, 2008: The police of R.A. Bazaar, Rawalpindi registered a case under law PPC 298-C that is specific to Ahmadis, on November 8, 2008 against two Ahmadis with FIR 691/2008. They arrested Mr. Abdul Hameed Ghani and Mr. Habib Ahmad. The former is the president of the local Ahmadi community, while the latter attends to Ahmadis’ moral and religious education.

The two Ahmadis were accused of using a house for community worship; this allegedly hurt the sentiments of Muslims. The accusation is mala fide as the building is used for various community functions including worship. This is because no mosque is available to Ahmadis to offer regular prayers; also, it is not true that the practice hurt the sentiments of Muslims. No Muslim came forward to have his complaint registered; the police registered the case on its own initiative. It was their own undertaking. It is noteworthy that in the same week Mr. Zardari the President of Pakistan was at the United Nations to participate in the High-Level meeting where it was declared inter alia: “The meeting further recalled that all States have pledged themselves under the Charter to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all including freedoms of belief and expression without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.” Mr. Ban Ki-moon rightly advised: “The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, positive words we have heard these past two days.”

The Government of Pakistan should take note that the authorities have not formally allowed Ahmadis to build a single mosque in Pakistan for years. In June this year the authorities tore down an under-construction Ahmadiyya mosque in Bhabhra Heelan in Kotli, Azad Kashmir. They also registered a police case against the Ahmadis of Kotli city for undertaking repairs and improvements to their place of worship. At Barali, in the same district, the authorities forcibly stopped construction of an Ahmadiyya mosque. These were enormous crimes committed by the law-enforcing body. If Ahmadis do not have a proper place to worship, and they are not allowed to build one, they have to pray somewhere – so why not in their own house? The Rawalpindi police is not even 20 kilometers away from the capital from where those that govern announce routinely ‘powerful, positive words’ in support of freedom of religion and faith.

The two arrested Ahmadi men, who otherwise are law-abiding citizens, were locked up by the police. Two days later when they applied to the magistrate for release on bail, he rejected their plea. The police, administration and judiciary in the twin city, that is faced with the mega-problem of terrorism, are farcical (Marriott Hotel, Lal Masjid etc), and waste their time and energy in detaining peaceful citizens who pray in their private property.

Ten days later, the Session Court heard the bail applications. The judge decided to release them against surety. They will however face the unnecessary and futile trial, where, if declared guilty (for offering prayers at home) they could be sent to prison for three years. Would Quaid-i-Azam recognize the present-day Pakistan as his legacy? The politicians and authorities pay no attention to what the great man told the Assembly on 11th August 1947 in his speech, that is on record.

A glaring discrimination in the field of education

Rabwah: The daily Dawn of November 26, 2008 published a letter to the editor. It is self-explanatory and is reproduced below:

Glaring discrimination

We are a strange society, and have developed a rather freakish state. We hurry to implement ill-considered plans, and even when their futility becomes obvious, we are slow, very slow to throw them out. Our ability to undertake dishonest discrimination is enormous. Let me mention here a proof, if one is needed.

In 1972, the socialist government nationalized privately owned schools and colleges, including 10 which belonged to the Sadar Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan. Twenty-four years later, when great damage had been done to education, the government was ‘pleased’ to offer denationalization to the owners, conditionally. The Anjuman Ahmadiyya met all those conditions of the government to get its own schools back. Since then the government of Punjab has returned numerous institutions to their owners, but for unstated reasons have not returned the schools of the Anjuman Ahmadiyya. The authorities concerned have failed to respond to various reminders, or even to acknowledge their receipt during the last eleven years. Their discrimination and political and administrative grossness is mind-boggling.

Recently in the in-camera extraordinary joint session of the Parliament, “It was recalled that in the past the dictatorial regimes pursued policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of national interest”. Well, it is more than six months now that the new democratic regime has prevailed in the provinces and the centre. One expects them to return the Ahmadiyya schools in accordance with the government’s own policy, and not regress from doing that “to perpetuate their own power at the cost of national interest.”

I hope the weekly Time of U.S. was not correct in its recent comment: “It takes a big bomb to make a point in Pakistan these days.”

SYED TAHIR AHMAD
Rabwah

The Kunri Case — a targeted Ahmadi’s bail rejected

Kunri, Sindh; November 19, 2008: It should be recalled that in the month of September 2008, two Ahmadi presidents of district communities in Sindh were murdered, one after the other, in broad daylight. While Ahmadis were facing such attacks from religious thugs, the Sindh Police, rather than protecting them, was busy in supporting the mulla. On September 14, 2008 they accused Rana Khalil Ahmad, Ahmadi of writing a ‘blasphemous’ letter to the Khatib of Jame Masjid, Kunri. Mr. Rashid Iqbal was accused of writing something religious on the road with chalk.

Both these gentlemen were charged under the blasphemy clauses 295A and 295C, under the cover of the anti-terrorism law. Rana Khalil Ahmad was arrested. Since then he has been in prison. He applied for release on bail. On November 19, the judge rejected his plea. He remains in prison.

Rana Khalil Ahmad is an old man and earns his living from a small retail store. He lost a leg in an accident, and walks with the help of crutches.

This is the response of the administration, police and judiciary to terrorism in Pakistan!

Ahmadi subjected to arson

Chakral, District Chakwal: Mr. Mansur Ahmad’s family is the only Ahmadi family in Chakral. On October 12, 2008 extremist elements set fire to his house.

Mansur had gone away earlier with his family, but on the day of the incident, he alone had come back home. At the time they set his house on fire he was sleeping inside. It was approximately 2 A.M. One of the rooms was destroyed while the other was partially damaged.

Mr. Mansur escaped unhurt, fortunately. The perpetrators of the crime collected his religious literature including the Holy Quran and set it on fire along with other combustible household items. The damage amounted to approximately Rs. 100,000. They also took his computer and printer.

It is noteworthy that the local mulla recently initiated a vilification campaign against Mr. Mansur.

Mr. Mansur reported the incident to the police. No arrests have since been made, as yet.

Ahmadis — no job for them in the state sector!

Since the promulgation of Amendment No. II to the Constitution in 1974, the authorities have implemented the policy of reducing to the minimum the availability of state jobs to Ahmadis. Prior to 1974, Ahmadis joined government service in great numbers, as the literacy rate in their community was among the highest. However, with the passing of Amendment No. II to the Constitution, that declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims, a message was sent to one and all that Ahmadis could be discriminated against with impunity. As a result, the intake of Ahmadis in the military and the civil service, as officers, was reduced to a trickle.

Prior to 1974, there were many Ahmadis who served as pilots in the Pakistan Air Force. One of them, Zafar Chaudhry, an ace pilot, rose to the rank of Air Marshal and was appointed Chief of the Air Staff. However, after that, the intake of Ahmadi pilots was reduced significantly.

One exception occurred two years ago when one, Saeed Ahmad Nazir, an Ahmadi youth was selected in the GD Pilot branch of the PAF. He was doing well in his training. In the aircraft technical tests (ATTs) he scored 96% marks. In flying he did 17 missions, of which four were solo. At that stage, his instructor turned sectarian and failed him in flying missions. When Nazir protested, he said: “(Do not forget) Air Force is very small and I’ll always be your senior.” Later, in one of the gatherings when asked by other trainees, he replied that nothing was wrong with Nazir’s flying but because of “reasons that could not be stated,” they had to suspend him.

Thus only a few days before the graduation, Nazir was rejected. He left the PAF with a heavy heart. They offered him a post in a secondary branch of the air force. However, his friends advised him that there was no point in staying in an organization where he would face discrimination throughout his career.

Ahmadi forced to dislocate

District Sargodha: Dr Shafqatullah, an Ahmadi in government service was forced by scheming and violent extremists to shift his home to another town recently.

Dr Shafqatullah has been Incharge of the government hospital at Sobagha, district Sargodha for the last 15 years. He is a conscientious, hard working professional and his hospital is doing well. He also has good reputation. His superiors have often praised his work.

Permitted by his department, he has a house and a clinic inside the hospital. The public also finds this arrangement useful. The doctor is a practicing Ahmadi, and in his off-time he undertakes community service. He shares a farm with his uncle at Chak 152 North in the same district.

Anti-Ahmadiyya activists do not like Dr Shafqatullah’s good reputation and standing in the society. Over the past 5-6 years they opposed him in public, and fomented agitation against him. They threatened both his person and property. They even mentioned murder and abduction of his children. They sent applications and made frivolous complaints against him with the district authorities.

In the month of September this year, these miscreants added poison to the drinking water tank meant for the doctor’s farm buffalos kept for milk. Eight of those died within 2 to 3 hours. This was a heavy financial loss to him.

The doctor, sensing that threats were now turning into material harm, consulted his friends. They advised him that to remain relatively safe, he should shift residence. He has moved as advised.

A press report on Rabwah

Rabwah; November 29, 2008: The daily Jang, Lahore published a story on the civic situation of Rabwah in its issue of November 29, 2008. Its translation is produced below:

Chenab Nagar turns into a heap of problems. Representatives fall short of expectations.

Bad drainage results in pools of sewage water in streets and bazaars.
Most primary schools have no boundary walls. Three neighborhoods have no water in pipes.

Chenab Nagar (Report by Rana Nadeem Ahmad): Roads have become narrow due to crowding by parking of motorcycle rickshaws and vendors’ carts. Chenab Nagar has become a problem-prone city.

Public representatives have fallen short of people’s expectations. The neighborhoods and suburbs within the jurisdiction of Union Council 41 & 42 have become problems areas. There is apparently no one responsible for this population that exceeds a hundred thousand people. The elected representatives appear helpless in the face of numerous civic problems.

On account of the damaged drainage system, main streets and bazaars get flooded with dirty water. Overflowing gutters cause great inconvenience to pedestrians. Since long the neighborhoods of Darul Ulum West, East and Central have been denied water supply, so their people have to drink brackish underground water.

The fault-prone telephone exchange causes failures of phones. Residents pay heavy line-rent to PTCL but in turn receive unsatisfactory service.

Traffic is problematic on the Aqsa Road; there is always a risk of an accident thereby. Pedestrians find it difficult to walk on the Railway Road, Aqsa Road and the Gol Bazaar on account of encroachments. Aqsa Road has been almost occupied by rickshaw drivers and vendors. Roads that are 60-feet wide have thus become narrow passages. Educational institutions are also faced with problems.

Residents of Chenab Nagar have requested the Chief Minister to give priority attention to the problems of Darul Ulum West, Darul Futuh, Nasirabad and other neighborhoods. Sometimes ago when Mr. Muhammad Khalid, the Divisional Superintendent Railways came here on tour, he issued instructions that encroachments near the railway line should be removed; however no follow-up action has been taken. These encroachment cause great difficulty to traffic and pedestrians.

A fatwa from South Africa

South African Sunni mullas have a fairly long history of hostility towards Ahmadis. They went to the courts in 1986 to seek a verdict in a case regarding one burial of a (Lahori) Ahmadi in a Muslim graveyard. The court verdict was not to the satisfaction of these mullas, although they were provided legal and theological help from as far as Pakistan. Pakistani government and clerics (including Dr Ghazi, later a member of General Musharraf’s National Security Council) went out of their way to oppose Ahmadis in South Africa.

Recently, the so-called Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa published a Fatwa against “Ahmadis Qadianis”. It is interesting to note that immediately prior to the issue of this Fatwa, mulla Ilyas Chinioti (a resident of Chiniot in Punjab, Pakistan) had gone all the way to South Africa to participate in various functions and meetings of the Khatme Nabuwwat organization there. It is obvious from this that Pakistan mullas fly oversees to spread their mischief in distant lands. A story titled Disinformation campaign appears elsewhere in this News Report, regarding Chinioti.

The fatwa carries the stamp of Majlis Ifta and is signed by its acting-president and the head of the fatwa department. Its contents and tone display extreme of religious bigotry and intolerance. It is a model of what a tolerant religious dispensation should not do. A few excerpts from the fatwa are reproduced below (sic):

• They (Ahmadis) should NOT BE ALLOWED to enter the Masjids (Mosques) as well as All other prayer, religious and educational facilities of Muslims.
• No Sheikh, Maulana, Imam or Muslim should officiate at ANY of their marriage ceremonies.
• Intermarriages between Qadianis, Ahmadies/Lahories and a Muslim MUST NEVER BE ALLOWED. Such marriages are INVALID in terms of Shariah (Islamic Law).
• Qadianis, Ahmadis/Lahories are NOT ALLOWED to serve as Legal Representative (Wakil) or witnesses in any religious matter.
• A Muslim should not pray FOR OR ON Qadianis’ alias Ahmadis’/Lahories’ dead.
• Anything slaughtered by Qadianis, Ahmadies/Lahories CANNOT be eaten NOR can WE eat from them.
  

etc., etc.

Note the use of capitals and bold letters. The wording and scope of the fatwa are amazing. It is this kind of thinking and action that brings disrepute to religion in general and Islam in particular.

Sectarian drive in District Khushab

Mitha Tiwana, District Khushab: The activists of Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat have targeted District Khushab for years. The notorious mulla Athar Shah who precipitated the Takht Hazara massacre in November 2000, was later appointed in District Khushab where he continued to spread hatred and unrest against Ahmadis.

Activists of the Aalami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat have recently been very active in Mitha Tiwana. They distributed hate literature against Ahmadis. They agitated against an Ahmadi teacher in the local Government High School, and distributed pamphlets and write-ups among the staff and school children.

One of these pamphlets is titled: “Qadiani masnuat ka boycott — Ek jazbati Naara ya Imani taqaza” i.e. Boycott of Ahmadiyya products — a mere agitational slogan or a genuine demand of faith? The pamphlet describes the case of some political rebels in the early days of Islam as apostates and reminds the reader that they were put to death for their claims to Prophethood. The founder of Ahmadiyyat is included in the pamphlet in the same tradition. The pamphlet is scandalous and provocative and is written in foul language. It mentions all the well-known Ahmadiyya houses of business in the country and urges the reader to boycott their products.

It calls all Ahmadis ‘robbers’, and urges termination of all interaction and social relations with them. In turn, the pamphlet offers the glad tidings that, “Allah will grant you the bliss of the holy drink from the fountain of Kauther in the paradise from the blessed hand of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and you will also receive his recommendation to be saved.” It reminds the reader that: “The first sign of one’s love for the Holy Prophet (pbuh) of Allah is to hate his enemies.”

The publishers have boldly printed their address on the pamphlet as below:

Callers to Goodness: Aalami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat, District Office: Jame Masjid Abu Bakr Siddique alias Mian Bagar Wali, Lahori Gate, Jehlum Nagar, Purana Chowk, Khushab. Ph. No. 0333-9824871

Is the state prepared to act against these agents of ill-will and hatred, or will it suffice that its President attend the high level meeting at the UN, where finally the Secretary General had to say: “The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, words…”.

Foul language in the outskirts of Rabwah

Ahmad Nagar, September 28, 2008: Ahmad Nagar is a large village on the north-western outskirts of Rabwah. It has a mixed population, Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis.

Ramadan is a lunar month of fasting, and Muslim are expected to be more mild, tolerant and good in this holy month. The twenty-seventh of Ramadan has a special significance with most Muslims, and they tend to be more charitable and pious on this date. However, the anti-Ahmadi mullas of Ahmad Nagar, Chenab Nagar and Chiniot have a different perception and set of priorities.

On 27th Ramadan this year, these mullas organized a big anti-Ahmadiyya event at Masjid Bilal in Ahmad Nagar. They indulged in slander and badmouthing against Ahmadis throughout the night. Their language was highly provocative and hurtful.

In addition, these mullas declared that members of the Ahmadiyya Community were apostates and deserved to be put to death (Wajab-ul-Qatl). One of them said that this kind of murder was a pious duty (Muqaddas freezah). This exhortation could lead some of their flock to commit heinous crime. It is this kind of ‘preaching’ that led to the assassination of three Ahmadis in Sindh in the month of September.

Ahmadiyya headquarters informed the authorities of this. We do not know if they took any concrete action.

Disinformation campaign

Chiniot; November 16, 2008: Mulla Ilyas Chinioti is the son of the late Mulla Manzur Ahmad Chinioti who spent his entire life in opposition to Ahmadiyyat. The senior Chinioti claimed all the credit for success in persuading Mian Brothers of Lahore to change the name of Rabwah to Chenab Nagar. He used to boast that this change was the fruit of 30 years of efforts. Not all his efforts were, of course, bloodless. He died a few years ago, and now mulla Ilyas Chinioti has inherited his father’s mission which he performs in the same manner and style. Disinformation is an important element of this. We quote below only the headlines of his statement that was published by the daily ‘Amn’ of Faisalabad on 16 November, 2008:

American Zionists and Qadiani monsters spread tampered versions of the Quran all over the world.
Alterations done to the Holy Quran. 44 chapters removed, as also various verses regarding Jihad and Faith.
Corrupted version of the Quran was published in the US, then delivered to the government of Kuwait for distribution.
The title of this corrupted version is Furqanul Haq. Chapters concerning Jihad and Faith have not been included in it. — Maulana Ilyas Chinioti

We are not in a position to comment on the authenticity of Chinioti’s statement, but it can be firmly asserted that ‘Qadiani monsters’ have played no part in it. His accusation is another one of his numerous lies.

The Amn reported that ‘Member of the Punjab Assembly, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Chinioti disclosed all this to our correspondent on telephone, on return from his successful moralizing tour (Tablighee Daurah) of South Africa.”

The King and We

United Nations: According to a press report in the Daily Times of November 13, 2008 King Abdullah, the initiator of the global dialogue on interfaith, told the gathering of over 60 representatives from around the world that roots of all global crises could be found in human denial of eternal principles of justice. The paper reported the event under the following headline:

Abdullah preaches peace, tolerance at interfaith moot

(Excerpts): Advocating peace, justice and tolerance as the key Islamic values, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday said religions should not be used as ‘instruments to cause misery.’

“Human beings were created as equals and partners, either they live in peace and harmony, or they will inevitably be consumed by the flames of misunderstandings, malice and hatred,” he said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, APP reported.

The king is right. But one is immediately reminded of the sad state of religious intolerance in his own country that became manifest in an incident two years ago when the Saudi religious police raided the Ahmadiyya center at Jeddah at about 2.00 P.M. on December 29, 2006. The police detained all the Ahmadis present there including women, children and an 8 month old infant. Some of the arrested were handcuffed and even shackled. All these innocent prisoners were maltreated for reasons not stated. They were then put on expulsion notice, although Amnesty International appealed to the Saudi Arabian authorities to halt the expulsion of all those targeted solely for their actual or suspected connection with the Ahmadiyya religious community. The Daily Times made an editorial comment on the incident in its issue of January 11, 2007 and gave it the title: Islamic cleansing. The Saudi authorities however persisted in their persecution drive and expelled almost all these Ahmadis. All of these had been legally working in the kingdom for years. None has been allowed to come back.

In these circumstances, all concerned, but more than others the good Saudi monarch should think over the advice of the UN Secretary general Ban ki-moon offered at the same forum: “The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, positive words we have heard these past two days”, and proceed with the implementation of his own advice.

Ahmadis behind bars

1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No 89/2005. He is now in the fifth year of his imprisonment.
2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs, Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death cell at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. These innocent are now in the sixth year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy. The judge rejected his plea for bail.
4. Rana Khalil Ahmad, an elderly and disabled gentleman, is detained for allegedly writing a letter to a cleric.
   

From the press

Two motorcycle riders fired at and assassinated Mr. Ghazanfar Ahmad Chattha, an Ahmadi divisional inspector and missionary.

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; November 19, 2008

We will resist construction of Qadiani house of worship in Dipalpur.

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; November 11, 2008

CM (Chief Minister) dismisses threat of Talibanisation (in Sindh)

The daily Dawn, Lahore; November 30, 2008

Religions should not be used to create misery. — King Abdullah (of S.A.)

The daily Dawn, Lahore; November 13, 2008

(Reminds one of maltreatment of Ahmadis in Jeddah in 2006. Ed.)

The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, positive words we have heard these past two days. — Remarks of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at press conference after the Culture of Peace meeting held at UN headquarters on 12, 13 November, 2008 at the initiative of Saudi King Abdullah

www.un.org/apps/news/infocus

The conduct of extremist mullas is entirely un-Islamic. — (Governor) Salman Tasir
Our highest priority is to promote peace in Pakistan. To achieve that, inculcate tolerance, patience and forbearance as a part of your syllabus. Inform the new generation candidly that what the extremist ulama do in the name of Islam, has nothing to do with Islam.

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; November 28, 2008

Black man in White House

The daily News, Lahore; November 06, 2008

Chenab Nagar: A depot of (civic) problems

The daily Jang, Lahore; November 29, 2008

False claimant to ‘Prophethood’ should be hanged in public. — Maulana Rabnawaz Farooqi

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; November 29, 2008

Suicide attack in Bajaur mosque. Nine including the leader of the Lashkar killed.

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; November 21, 2008

Suicide attack in Hangu mosque; 5 dead

The daily Jang, Lahore; November 23, 2008

Violence breaks out after blast kills 10 in DIK (at funeral). Death toll in Khar mosque suicide attack rises to 12

The Daily Times, Lahore; November 22, 2008

Bomber strikes Salarzai Jirga in Bajaur, kills 22

The Daily Times, Lahore; November 7, 2008

Suicide bomber kills eight soldiers

The Daily Times, Lahore; November 03, 2008

Eight killed in Kohat, Hangu
Six men, a woman and a child were killed in Kohat and Hangu districts in incidents of sectarian violence on Tuesday.

The daily Dawn, Lahore; November 26, 2008

Maulana Abdul Aziz set free on condition not to visit the Lal Masjid

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; November 06, 2008

JUI (F) gets huge military land
Durrani admits, JUI spokesman denies allotment; Qazi Hussain Ahmad shocked

The daily News, Lahore; November 02, 2008

Maulana Muhammad Khan Shirani [of JUI(F)] appointed (new) Chairman of Islamic Ideological Council
Dr Khalid Masood (who recently proposed women-friendly amendments to marriage laws) is relieved of his post (as chairman)

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; November 30, 2008

Dawat-i-Islami congregation concludes (at Multan)
Three-day congregation……concluded……attended by one million faithful

The daily Frontier Post, Lahore; November 03, 2008

(Why deny the same privilege to Ahmadis in Rabwah? — Ed.)

Alternate site designated for reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa
Lal Masjid administration has also given its consent. Madrassah will be built in Sector H-8. The decision to free Maulana Abdul Aziz and reconstruction of the Jamia at alternate site was taken during Ramadan.

The daily Ausaf, Lahore; November 19, 2008

Anti-Christian violence claimed 100 lives in India

The daily Dawn, Lahore; November 26, 2008

Crack down against moneychangers. 12 arrested including Munaf Kalia.
10 billion dollars sent abroad illegally

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; November 9, 2008

Firing in Karachi; 8 dead, dozen of vehicles set on fire; shoot on sight order against armed persons.

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; November 30, 2008

Two constables booked for robbery (in Rawalpindi)

The daily Dawn, Lahore; November 22, 2008

Mumbai under attack
Over 80 killed in series of gun and grenade attack in India’s financial hub.

The Daily Times, Lahore; November 19, 2008

Op-eds

Without honour in his own land — Prof Salam

…Salam stands as the excellent physicist of the Islamic world for a 1000 years. Not since the 11th century polymath Ibn al-Heytham has there been a more influential figure in the field… (In modern times) not since Einstein has any one scientist been so influential on the world stage.
It is to Pakistan’s eternal shame that its greatest scientist was not acknowledged because of a narrow-minded intolerance towards his brand of religion. I believe that until Salam is given the respect he deserves there can be no true Islamic renaissance in science.

Jim al-Khalil’s review in the New Scientist of 5 July 2008 of Gordon Fraser’s book “Cosmic Anger: The first Muslim Nobel Scientist” published by Oxford University Press

Pak TV channels — from medium to tedium

If the anchor is bringing in ads and money he can actually cause people to be killed after declaring them defective in faith, and get away with it.

Khalid Ahmad in The Friday Times of November 7, 2008

Zia-ul-Haq

One needs to point out that before Zia-ul-Haq, people refrained from wearing their Islam on their sleeve. Much changed with him and there are no signs of recovery or any lessening of the hypocrisy that passes for belief.

Khalid Hasan in The Friday Times of November 28, 2008

The President’s speech at the UN

……
During Ms Bhutto’s two stints in office, she was unable to stand up to religious extremists in Pakistan and did nothing to repeal the discriminatory laws against Ahmadi Muslims. While her husband’s rhetoric on Thursday was a step in the right direction, it rings hollow. If Mr. Zardari really wants to be an example of Muslim tolerance, he needs to repeal the amendments and ordinances in Pakistani constitution that disenfranchise millions of voters and ban religious freedom for an entire population. Ironically, at the end of his speech, Mr. Zardari said, “Injustice and discrimination on the mere basis of one’s faith must be discouraged – not only in words but through meaningful actions.” Here’s hoping he finds the courage to follow his own advice.

Posted by Ismat Mangla in the Washington Post on November 29, 2008

Grievious Attack on an Ahmadi Doctor in Pakistan

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

15 December 2008

PRESS RELEASE

TEN AHMADI MUSLIMS ARRESTED ON FALSE CHARGES IN PAKISTAN

It is with regret that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat notes that following the murders of two Ahmadi Presidents in September 2008, vicious attacks on members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat have continued. Recently Dr Muhammad Aslam, the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Haripur, was stabbed several times by a man posing as a patient in his clinic.

The assailant stabbed Dr Aslam four times whilst shouting “You are a Qadiani!” When the doctor’s assistants tried to grab the attacker, he angrily told them to stay away, claiming to be a suicide bomber. Nevertheless, they caught hold of him and brought him under control.

Dr Aslam was stabbed twice in the head as well as in his neck and hand. He was then taken to a nearby hospital, where he miraculously survived. Nonetheless it will be some time before Dr Aslam fully recovers.

The attacker, a young man no more than 20 years old, was handed over to police in the hope that they will now be able to find the group that has been prompting and organizing the murders of selected Ahmadis.

More than 90 Pakistani Ahmadis have been martyred since 1984, 15 of which were medical doctors. In addition to this, persecution continues throughout the country for only one reason, the hatred of the peace loving Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

END

For further information please contact:
Abid Khan, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

Bangladesh’s Secular Democracy Struggles with Violent Radical Islam

--- The Cutting Edge News

Inside Islam
Bangladesh’s Secular Democracy Struggles with Violent Radical Islam
Benedict Rogers November 24th 2008

Cutting Edge Burma Desk

Bangladesh is a country associated more with floods, cyclones and poverty than terrorism or radical Islamism. Indeed, it is a country founded on secular, democratic values and widely regarded as a moderate Muslim state. In recent years, however, militant Islamism has quietly been taking ground – and Bangladesh’s survival as a progressive state is on a knife-edge.

The warning signs have been there for some years, and some commentators have been sounding the alarm. In 2002, Ruth Baldwin wrote a piece in The Nation headlined: “The ‘Talibanisation’ of Bangladesh.” Hiranmay Karlekar wrote Bangladesh: The Next Afghanistan? While Maneeza Hossain’s Broken Pendulum: Bangladesh’s Swing to Radicalism and Ali Riaz’s God Willing: The Politics of Islamism in Bangladesh are all important contributions.

Perhaps the most visible and dramatic sign of the growth of extremism came three years ago. On 17 August 2005, between 11 and 11.30 am, 527 bombs were exploded in a massive attack on all but one of the country’s 64 districts. Such a carefully co-ordinated campaign of terror shocked the nation – but in many respects it was just the tip of the terror iceberg. Other terrorist incidents, including an attack on the Bangladeshi-born British High Commissioner, members of the judiciary and sporadic attacks on religious and ethnic minorities are further indicators of the presence of well-organised terrorist networks.

However, it is not simply the acts of violence that should cause concern. The Islamists’ ideological influence has spread to almost all parts of Bangladeshi society – not least the political arena.

The umbrella organisation is Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical group founded in India in 1941 by Mawlana Abul Ala Maududi. According to one analyst in Bangladesh, Jamaat’s objective is to create “a monolithic Islamic state, based on Shari’ah law, and declare jihad against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and free-thinking Muslims.” Religious minorities – and Muslims regarded by Jamaat as heretical, such as the Ahmadiyya sect – are targeted for eviction, according to one human rights activist, “or at least to be made into a ‘non-existent’ element whose voice cannot be heard.” Jamaat’s tentacles now reach into major sectors, including banking, health care, education, business and non-profit organisations, and they aim to “destroy” the judicial system, according to one critic, including by “physically eliminating judges.” In 2001, Jamaat won 17 parliamentary seats in alliance with the governing party, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), and became a partner in the coalition government until its overthrow by the military in 2007. Elections scheduled for next month could result in Jamaat’s return to government, if BNP wins, and even in the current caretaker administration there are believed to be Jamaat-sympathisers.

While Jamaat is the umbrella, according to journalist Shahriar Kabir and the Forum for Secular Bangladesh there are over 100 Islamist political parties and militant organisations in Bangladesh. Only four of these have been banned, and even they continue to operate under alternative names. Extremist literature, audio and video cassettes are widely distributed, and thousands of madrassas teach radical Islamism.

All this is completely at odds with the vision of Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the struggle for independence from Pakistan in which at least three million were killed, ten million displaced and 250,000 women raped. According to Hiranmay Karlekar, at the heart of the birth of Bangladesh was a belief that “the Bengali identity had prevailed over the Islamic identity.” The preamble of the first constitution explicitly stated a commitment to secularism and democracy, and political parties were banned from using religion as a basis for their activities.

Bangladesh began sliding slowly towards Islamism following the assassination of Rahman in 1975. In 1977, references to secularism were deleted from the constitution and the phrase “Bismillah-Ar-Rahiman-Ar Rahim” (“In the name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful) was inserted. Five years later, General Ershad – one of the military dictators who ruled the country in the alternating competition between the army and the democrats – introduced the Eighth Amendment, making Islam the state religion. The constitution now states that “absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah shall be the basis of all actions.”

There remain some provisos, which give religious minorities protection. For example, while Islamic principles are set out as guiding values, the constitution states that they “shall not be judicially enforceable.” The Chief Justice has said clearly that Shari’ah does not constitute the basis of the country’s legislation. Religious freedom, including “the right to profess, practice or propagate any religion”, is protected, and discrimination on religious grounds prohibited.

Nevertheless, in practice Christians, Hindus and Buddhists are denied promotion in the government and the military and in the view of one Bangladeshi journalist, religious and ethnic minorities have seen “unprecedented persecution” in recent years.

In 1998, for example, three Christian sites in Dhaka were attacked – a Catholic girls’ school, an Anglican church and a Baptist church. A mob set fire to the school, destroyed property, burned books, pulled down a cross and smashed statues of the Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Death threats were issued from the nearby mosque. Since then, sporadic attacks on churches have escalated. In 2007, at least five churches were attacked. Hindus and Ahmadiyyas face similar violence.

Cases of abduction, rape, forced marriage and forced conversion of religious minority women – and particularly young girls – are increasing, in a trend worryingly reminiscent of Pakistan. On 13 February 2007, for example, Shantona Rozario, an 18 year-old Christian student, was kidnapped. She was forced at gunpoint to sign a marriage document with her kidnapper, and an affidavit for conversion to Islam, witnessed by a lawyer, a mullah and a group of young men. After a month she managed to escape, but others are not so fortunate. On April 30 of this year a 14 year-old Christian girl, Bituni de Silva, was raped at gunpoint, and on May 2 a 13 year-old daughter of a pastor was gang-raped.

Apostates in Bangladesh face similar severe consequences for leaving Islam as they do throughout the world. On 1 February this year, a 70 year-old woman convert to Christianity from Islam, Rahima Beoa, died from burns suffered when her home was set ablaze after her conversion.

In 2004, a Jamaat Member of Parliament attempted to introduce a blasphemy law in Bangladesh, modelled on Pakistan’s notorious legislation. Attempts have been made to ban Ahmadiyya literature. And even during the State of Emergency, when protests and processions are supposed to be banned, extremists led by groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir have held angry rallies. On 17 September 2007, for example, a cartoon was published in a satirical magazine, Alpin, featuring a conversation between a child and an imam, in which the boy was told that he should always use the prefix ‘Mohammed’ before a name. The boy then decided to call his cat “Mohammed Cat.” The cartoon sparked outrage, and effiges of the newspaper editor were burned in street protests. The cartoonist and the editor were arrested, charged with sedition, and the publication was closed down. In April this year, large protests were held after Friday prayers in major cities, opposing the government’s plans to legitimate women’s rights in the constitution. Maulana Fazlul Haq, chairman of the Islami Oikya Jote, described such a policy as “anti-Qu’ran” and “anti-Islamic.”

An estimated 2.5 million people in Bangladesh belong to indigenous ethnic tribal groups, sometime sknown as “Adibashis.” There are at least 40 different ethnic groups, mainly inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the plains area around Mymensingh. Most of these tribal groups are non-Muslim – predominantly Buddhist, Christian and Animist. Since the late 1970s, the Bangladeshi government has actively sponsored the resettlement of Bengali Muslims into the tribal areas – resulting in the construction of mosques, land-grabbing, evictions and discrimination against non-Muslims. One indigenous rights campaigner said: “Our way of life is an open society. Men and women can work anywhere. We are more flexible on gender issues. But the settlers have come in and built mosques, and they use their loudspeakers which affects us culturally and psychologically.”

In one village near Mymensingh, for example, a Bengali Muslim married a Christian from a tribal group. All the other villagers are Christians. After a few years, he decided he needed a mosque – even though he was the only Muslim in the area. So now he is building a mosque – and the likelihood is he will bring in an imam, who will bring his family, who will bring their relatives: and the slow, subtle, insidious repopulation of a non-Muslim, non-Bengali area will unfold. When I visited the remote jungle village, the atmosphere was tense – and the imam, sitting at the mosque construction site, was unwelcoming.

The prediction of Bangladesh’s “Talibanisation” may sound extreme, and in the immediate term the likelihood of Bangladesh becoming like Afghanistan is far-fetched. Bangladesh has not gone as far down the road of radicalisation as Pakistan, for example. Nevertheless, the warnings need to be taken seriously. If it continues as it is, Bangladesh will go the way of Pakistan – and then the risk of Talibanisation becomes realistic.

Indeed, it is Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that are fuelling the Islamisation of Bangladesh. As one person put it, “Pakistan is the breeding ground and the brain, and Saudi Arabia provides the money.” Saudi Arabia is a major funder of madrassas and mosques in Bangladesh, for example – and it is no coincide that Wahhabi teaching is on the rise.

A prominent church leader predicts that full Shari’ah law will be implemented if the situation does not change. “Some day, it will happen. Maybe not immediately, but it will happen … The support of voices in the international community is very much needed. More people need to come and find out what is happening here.” As Ali Riaz says, “there is no doubt that if the present trend continues, the nation will inevitably slide further down the slope toward a regime with a clear Islamist agenda … What is necessary is a decisive change in the direction of the nation.” Such a decisive change is vital, to restore the founding principles of Bangladesh – secularism, democracy, equal rights. There is still a thriving civil society, with bold intellectuals, journalists and human rights activists willing to challenge radical Islamism – and that is a cause for hope. Bangladesh has not been lost to radical Islamism completely – but it will be if the alarm bells are not heard.

Cutting Edge Contributor Benedict Rogers is a human rights activist with Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and serves as Deputy Chairman of the UK Conservative Party's Human Rights Commission. He is the author of A Land Without Evil: Stopping the Genocide of Burma's Karen People (Monarch, 2004).

URL: www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?...e=Features

Monthly Newsreport - Ahmadiyya Persecution in Pakistan - October, 2008

Extensive and unending evil of the Ahmadi-specific laws
Eight more Ahmadis arrested in Rabwah in a dubious case

Rabwah: It was reported last month that 10 Ahmadi traders had been booked with FIR 443/08 of September 5, 2008 under Ahmadi-specific clauses PPC 298-B and 298-C. The FIR accused them of hurting the sentiments of Muslims using Arabic words like ‘Khilafat خلافت’ and ‘Imam امام’ etc in a Ramadan calendar and claiming unjustifiably these words belonged exclusively to Muslims. The accused face three years’ imprisonment under this spurious accusation. It is indeed astonishing that the state of Pakistan and the province of Punjab should be wasting their scarce police and judicial resources pursing such ridiculous accusations. This month among the many other incidents of terrorism one was the death of 113 in a suicide attack in Orakzai Agency on October 11, while in another incident 15 troops were killed in Swat by militants. In Rabwah, at the demand of the extremists, the authorities booked another 8 Ahmadis under the same FIR No. 443/08. It seems the government has very much lost its way.

Earlier, the first 8 detainees were behind bars as their temporary ‘bail before arrest’ had been cancelled. A judge granted their plea for ‘bail after arrest’ on October 28, 2008, and the authorities released them.

Subsequent to the arrest of those accused, the police investigated eight more individuals. They hurried to avail the ‘bail before arrest’ provision. However, they had to present themselves a few days later for confirmation of the bail. The judge, for reasons known only to him, decided to reject the confirmation. The police arrested them immediately and locked them up. Their names are listed below:

1. Mr. Naseeb Ahmad Anwar; a brick-kiln owner
2. Mr. Danial Ahmad; a 14 years old
3. Mr. Muhammad Abdulla Khan; proprietor of an electric store
4. Mr. Asif Jamil; movie maker
5. Mr. Akbar Latif; pharmacist
6. Mr.Maqbul Ahmad Gondal of Gondal Tent Service
7. Mr. Abdul Majeed of Zeeshan Shopping Centre
8. Mr. Atiqur Rehman; a property dealer.
   

These peaceful citizens are now behind bars. Only a few days earlier, the senior minister of their province, Raja Riaz said: Minorities have equal rights (The News; October 13, 2008). The weekly Time apparently knows the situation here better than the minister. It commented: It takes a big bomb to make a point in Pakistan these days. (Time; October 6, 2008)

A deadly attack on yet another Ahmadi district Amir

Haripur, NWFP; October 29, 2008: Subsequent to the assassination of two Ahmadi presidents of district communities in Sindh in September, another was attacked, this time in NWFP. He is also a doctor, like Dr Siddiqui of Mirpur Khas.

A man named Abbas came to Dr Muhammad Aslam’s clinic posing as a patient. There he attacked the doctor with a dagger, and shouted: Tu Qadiani hai; tu Qadiani hai (You are a Qadiani; you are a Qadiani). He was able to stab his victim four times before he could be stopped. The doctor was wounded twice in the head, and once each in the neck and hand. When the doctor’s assistants tried to grab the attacker, he threatened them to keep clear shouting that he was a suicide bomber. Nevertheless, they caught hold of him and brought him under control.

Dr Aslam was taken to a nearby hospital, where a surgeon attended to him. He has apparently survived the attack, although he will take time to recover fully.

The assailant is under 20. He told the police that he is a resident of Bajida, District Haripur.

Thankfully the assailant has been caught, perhaps now the police should be able to find out who he was supported by. It might lead to a group which prompts and organizes the murder of selected Ahmadis. The local daily Mohasib of October 30, 2008 commented: “Startling disclosures are expected.”

Yet another anti-Ahmadiyya conference permitted and held in Rabwah

Rabwah: October 30 and 31, 2008: With the permission of the authorities the mullas converged on Rabwah from all over Pakistan to hold a sectarian anti-Ahmadiyya conference here. Earlier this year major open-air conferences were held by clerics at Rabwah in March and September. There is no apparent reason for them to come all the way to Rabwah except provocation. It costs them money to transport their audience from other towns, but perhaps money is no problem, as the clerics manage to get donations from major foreign donors. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, the self-appointed spokesman for the Taliban is a regular advocate and participant of this annual event. The conference produced little except hatred, provocation, security concern, social unrest and politics, both national and international. The vernacular press spared plenty of space to reproduce the press-release of the conference organizers. The daily Jang, Lahore of November 1, 2008 reported the following excerpts from the speeches, inter alia:

• The US aims at liquidating the Mujahideen, in the name of terror.
• The US is using the language similar to the Soviets in Afghanistan. If the US gets a foothold there, it will affect the whole region.
• 5000 key-posts in the country are occupied by Qadianis, Christians and Jews.
• If the current policies continue, the NWFP will not remain in step with Pakistan.
• Maulana Abdul Aziz (of Lal Masjid, Islamabad) should be set free forthwith; the Jamia Hafsa should be rebuilt, and all police cases against the Tulaba of Jamia Faridia should be withdrawn.
• All political leaders including President Zardari should bring back their wealth from foreign banks to put an end to the financial crisis.
• The religion-column should be added to the national identity card. Non-Muslims should be given identity cards of a colour different than that for Muslims.
• Admission forms for all educational institutions should have affirmation regarding Safeguarding the End of Prophethood.
• Pakistanis have to fight against the licentious culture of the West. etc, etc.
  

Among those who attended and addressed the conference, the following are worthy of mention:

• Maulvi Fazlur Rahman (the JUI chief)
• Liaquat Baloch (a heavyweight of JI)
• Mufti Saeed Ahmad Jalalpuri (a rabid mullah from Karachi)
• Mulla Alam Tariq (a brother of mulla Azam Tariq of the banned Lashkar Jhangvi)
• Mulla Ahmad Mian Hamaadi (a full-time sectarian activist from Sindh)
• Mulla Allah Wasaya [self-styled Shaheen (a bird of prey) Khatme Nabuwwat]
• Mulla Aziz-ur-Rehman Jalandhry (excels in bad-mouthing others)
  

The participants were led by the stage to shout slogans, inter alia:

• Mirzaiat – Murdah bad (Death to Ahmadiyyat)
• Hang the blasphemers
• Long live the Crown and Throne of Prophecy
  

(It is interesting that the participants wished long life to the crown and throne of Prophecy in a conference that was called in the name of safeguarding (Tahaffuz) the End of Prophecy.)

The speakers sprang a surprise and came up with a fresh demand this time, in that:

• There are six hundred Pakistani Qadianis that are enrolled in the Israeli Army; their aim is to facilitate the enemy state’s attack on Pakistan.
• Qadianis indulge in despicable efforts to administer Chenab Nagar (Rabwah) on the lines of Israel.
• Rejection of Qadianiat (Radde Qadianiat ???? ????????) should be made a part of the state schools syllabus.
  

The following is also noteworthy:

• Maulvi Alam Tariq, the brother of Azam Tariq of the banned Lashkar Jhangvi arrived at the site at 3:00 A.M. and left immediately after speaking to the audience.
• Maulvi Fazlur Rahman joined the conference after the Friday congregation. He arrived in style in a convoy of six vehicles. In his speech he told a deliberate lie that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani had declared himself to be planted by the English. He also fabricated the charge that the attacks on Islamic countries (Aalam-e-Islam) were a Qadiani conspiracy. The release of Dr Abdul Qadeer was also demanded in the conference.

The local Ahmadiyya Community took adequate security precautions to protect itself against any incursion by these unwelcome visitors. Women were asked to stay indoors during these two days. Girl students were told to not to go to school. The authorities posted extra police personnel to discourage the mulla from creating any disorder.

Why immunity to politicians in the garb of religion?

Sargodha; October 23, 2008: Mullas continue to claim immunity from legal action and to avail unbridled freedom of speech, under the protective shade of religion. We have previously produced evidence in these reports that these clerics promote their politics in the name of Khatme Nabuwwat. Recently the Aalami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat held an open-air conference at Sargodha, and the daily Jang, Lahore reported its proceedings on 24 October 2008 under three column headlines that are translated below to prove this point:

Snap ties with US and formulate policies in accord with the People’s wishes. — Khatme Nabuwwat conference
Negotiations should be held and (military) operation should be halted; Qadianis’ activities should be monitored in Kahuta and other national institutions
Zahid ur Rashidi, Maulana Allah Wasaya, Muhammad Ahmad Luddhianwi, Mufti Abdul Moeed and Abdul Majeed Shah’s address
Load-shedding, inflation and unemployment should be ended; those who threaten Pakistan’s security should be exposed. — Resolution

It is reasonable to suggest that if the mulla wants to play politics at a national and international level, the relevant rules, should apply to him as well, and he should not be treated as “Ulama Karam”.

According to the daily Jang, among the clerics who participated were Abdullah Shah Mazhar, Akram Toofani, Sahibzada Aziz Ahmad, Mufti Tahir Masud, Muhammad Ramazan and Qari Abdul Waheed. Haji Aslam, Chaudhry Hamid Hameed and Abdur Razzaq Dhillon also addressed the crowd.

Freedom of religion, assembly and speech to Ahmadis!

Rabwah: In the month of October 2008 the Nazir Amur Aama (Director Public Affairs) of the Ahmadiyya Central Office wrote a letter to the authorities concerned on the issue of the permission granted to the Anti-Ahmadiyya Khatme Nabuwwat mullas to hold another open-air conference at Rabwah and the denial of the same permission to Ahmadis in their own town. This self-explanatory letter, written in Urdu, is translated below:

Sir,

According to the press reports a Khatme Nabuwwat Conference is scheduled at Rabwah by the Aalami Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat on October 30 and 31, 2008. As usual, the speakers will make anti-Ahmadiyya provocative speeches and issue statements there. Rabwah is a unique town in that the Government of the Punjab renamed it Nawan Qadian against the wishes of the local population, only to please a few outsiders. After the Notification, the government was conveyed the concern that the revised imposed name of ‘Nawan Qadian’ would perhaps be acceptable to the residents; thus the objective of hurting their sentiments would not be adequately achieved. So they issued a fresh official notification that further changed the name of the town to Chenab Nagar. In fact there are numerous such hurtful impositions on Ahmadis here. I propose now to highlight only one of these.

For the last quarter of a century, residents of this town have been deprived of their fundamental right of assembly. Ahmadis established this town on a barren piece of purchased land. At present more than 50,000 Ahmadis live here. Earlier, Ahmadis would assemble here five times every year and participate in moral and spiritual improvement seminars and programs. The government apparently did not approve of this peaceful pursuit, so it decided to forbid them this basic human right through executive orders. Now, every year Ahmadis request to hold their annual conference, and the authorities fail to even acknowledge the receipt of the letter. Please consider the discrimination practiced in case of others.

A few others, non-Ahmadis, who have been planted in Rabwah, enjoy complete freedom to hold conferences here and invite the speakers from outside. They undertake slander and provocation against the most respected elders of Ahmadis who form 95% of the town’s population. The organizers and speakers at these conferences violate official rules and directions, and are not held accountable for them. The participants then form processions, provoke the local population and precipitate a threat to law and order. Consequently the government tells Ahmadis to remain at home, but does not order the provocateurs to disperse.

These are the facts. The police reports and agencies’ records support all this. In view of such unfair treatment one must wonder what has happened to the basic right of assembly and why it is denied to Ahmadis. Also:

• If this basic human right is allowed by the Constitution of Pakistan, why is it denied in this town?
• Is this not blatant discrimination based on faith?
  

In the light of these questions, would it not be fair to permit Ahmadis to hold their peaceful assemblies in Rabwah, and forbid those conferences that promote only hatred and intolerance, especially when the government claims to be liberal, enlightened and democratic?

Yours sincerely,

Saleemuddin
Nazir Umur Aama, Chenab Nagar (Rabwah)

Hunting down Ahmadis in educational institutions

A story under the title above was included in the monthly News Report for August 2008. Part of it is reproduced here:

It is a matter of great concern that the authorities have perhaps already undertaken this ugly exercise. In an article by Raja Asrar Ahmad Abbasi, titled “There is need for correct data regarding Ahmadis” in the Daily Ausaf, Lahore of August 7, 2008, he mentioned: “One is encouraged by a recent report that data regarding Mirzai male and female students of schools and colleges is being collected. But it is surprising that this is being done through local police through letters and replies…”
Strange are the ways of this state.

It is now confirmed that the authorities did indulge in this unbecoming, unnecessary and discriminatory exercise. This reminds one of Nazi Germany!

Malicious and injurious accusation

Nankana Sahib: Here is a typical case that shows how far some elements of society go to harm Ahmadis in the name of religion and Khatme Nabuwwat. It says little on the moral and intellectual health of society in Pakistan.

Three months ago activists of the Khatme Nabuwwat organization put up defamatory posters on a wall in Nankana Sadar. Someone tore off one of these and the group rushed to the police to lodge a complaint against 16 Ahmadis for Blasphemy. The police registered the case, raided Ahmadi homes and detained individuals. One of those arrested was an elderly gentleman, Dr Asghar Abdul Rahman. They held him as the prime suspect and interrogated him vigorously for days. Both the magistrate and the judge refused his plea for bail and he remained in a lock-up for weeks. Eventually, by 10th September 2008, the investigation was completed, and the police concluded that the doctor was not the one who tore down the poster.

On September 11 Muhammad Malik, the complainant in the above case was on his way back from the mosque after the night prayers (Isha) when two men on a motor-cycle overtook him, and shot him dead.

Boota, the father of Malik, in consultation with his advisors, approached the police and had an FIR registered in which he named two Ahmadis as the murderers and two of their non-Ahmadi friends as the helpers in the attack. He mentioned in the complaint that Ahmadis killed his son because he was the complainant in the Blasphemy case, and as such instrumental in the arrest of Dr Asghar. Mr. Tahir Nadeem, one of the Ahmadi accused is a son of Dr Asghar while Mr. Rashid the other accused is the doctor’s nephew. Now, rather than releasing Dr Asghar whom they had found innocent of the alleged blasphemy, they arrested his son and nephew. They also arrested a third accused, while a fourth one went into hiding for fear of the police. But this was not the end of the matter.

Subsequent to the incident and the police raids, Ahmadis were harassed and feared unbearable hardships, so they fled from the village. Their women also went away to a nearby village; the police held them the next day. However, they released them when their men presented themselves to the police. On Friday, hundreds of protesters, spurred and agitated by the mulla took to the street and threatened to set fire to Ahmadis’ homes. The police were good enough to dissuade them. They even transported some Ahmadi women to safety in another village Chak Ahatah Langah. The mulla had created serious communal tension.

Ahmadis told the police that the complainant, his advisors and the mullas had all made false accusations against Ahmadis. Someone else had assassinated Malik for their own reasons and to settle a personal score, and to do so he had availed of the prevailing sectarian dispute and the so-called Blasphemy case. Such treachery is well-known to Punjabi villagers and mullas, and the police know it.

The senior leadership of the Khatme Nabuwwat with the help of the vernacular press propagated the fabrication that Ahmadis had killed a Khatme Nabuwwat activist. For example, the daily Ausaf, Lahore of September 13, 2008 reported the fabrication under a three column headline, as below:

Nankana: Qadianis assassinated a youth who had reported to the police their Blasphemy
Qadiani Dr Asghar had defiled the good name of the Holy Prophet, for which he was arrested and sent to prison.
Muhammad Malik was on his way home after Taravih prayers when the doctor’s men shot at him. The leaders of the Khatme Nabuwwat arrived at the scene.

The paper named mulla Abdul Hameed Rehmani, Mehr Aslam Nasir, Nazim Shaukat Ali Shahid, Liaquat Ali Kachhi, Chaudhry Arshad, Shaheen Parwaz, Akram Naz, Muhammad Sarwar as the Khatme Nabuwwat leaders who arrived at the scene (and provided advice to Boota to have the FIR registered with the police, which he did).

The information department of the Khatme Nabuwwat Movement spared no effort to make maximum gain out of the murder. They approached column-writers and pseudo intellectuals of the vernacular press to write op-eds which they did without making any inquiry into the incident. In fact, had any of the innocent accused been hanged, these divines and writers would have been guilty of complicity to murder.

The police kept the three detainees in a police station at Warburton. They tortured the two Ahmadis to draw confessions from them. However, the police also extended their inquiry and investigated other possibilities. Approximately four weeks later, they tracked the actual assassins and arrested one of them, Habib who admitted having committed the crime. At this, the police released all the three detainees and declared them innocent.

It is relevant to mention here that the complainant Boota, had it recorded in the FIR that “Nadeem son of Asghar Ali was armed with a 12-bore gun” while “Rashid son of Sarwar was armed with a pistol” – also “the accused Nadeem hurled the challenge ‘teach Muhammad Malik a lesson for getting the police case registered against us, at which… the accused Nadeem also fired his 12 bore gun and hit Muhammad Malik in the face, and he fell down wounded.” All fabrications; all lies.

The entire Ahmadiyya Community of the village Chak 4, Bhagwanpura has suffered greatly during the last four months through these two fabricated accusations. The mulla has been instrumental not only in harassing Ahmadis, but also causing a murder, avoidable litigation, sorrow for the family of the deceased, social unrest and a breakdown in communal peace in an otherwise peaceful and harmonious rural community. Allama Iqbal was not off the mark when he concluded: Deen-e-mulla fi sabilillah fasad (The creed of the mulla is to create disorder and mischief in the name of God). The case throws a flood of light on a similar case in Chak Sikandar, where three Ahmadis have been sentenced to death under similar circumstances, and are in the sixth year of their incarceration awaiting a hearing of their appeal in the Lahore High Court. The police, after repeated investigations had found them innocent, but the judicial system has still pushed them with death sentences.

Rabwah: deprived of drinking water

Rabwah; October 2008: The Daily Express of October 16, 2008 reported the following:

Water not available. Residents of Chenab Nagar start migration.

Worshippers turn to Tayamum (ablution with dust); forewarn of protest (gherao). Bursting of the main pipe is the cause –Town Council

Chenab Nagar: (correspondent). Residents of Chenab Nagar have moved from the affected areas on account of non-availability of water. The problem has been persisting for the last ten days, and people now have to buy (expensive) bottled mineral water. It is a pity that on account of non-availability of water in the mosques, worshippers have to use dust to simulate ablution. The Town Council is insensitive to their plight in that they have not taken due notice of this for the last ten days. According to the Town officials, the main supply line burst. Its repair was undertaken, but it burst again due to water pressure. The residents, however, state that the Council gave the repair task to unskilled laborers rather than qualified technicians, so the repairs did not last even one day. The affected residents have warned that they will have no option but to protest strongly (gherao of the offices) for which the entire responsibility will be that of the TMA (Tehsil Municipal Administration) Chiniot.

'Moral education' in a school at Sialkot!

Sialkot: Naqsh Lasani High School (registered with Gujranwala Board) claims to hold ‘First position in Sialkot.’ It published its ‘syllabus for Morality’ for the First Term in September 2007. Its copy became available recently. Excerpts from its Question-Answer section are translated below:

Q. What wine did Mirza Qadiani drink?
A. Tonic Wine of E Plomer.
Q. How did Mirza Qadiani button up his shirt?
A. He would button up the upper button in the lower hole and the lower button in the
upper hole.
Q. Where did Mirza Qadiani die?
A. In a latrine.

Well, this is the kind of ‘morality’ that is being taught to teen-age student at a school that claims to be the best in Sialkot and is registered officially with the state Board.

The Ahmadiyya headquarters have informed the authorities of this outrage. Action is still awaited.

Anti-Ahmadiyya activism gains momentum

Lahore: The daily Pakistan, Lahore of October 14, 2008 published a news item under a three-column headline, reporting the schedule of a multi-party anti-Ahmadiyya planning meeting at Lahore on October 19, 2008. The daily’s headlines:

Qadianis’ heightened activities: meeting of religious parties called in October.
The meeting will deliberate upon the lobbying of higher circles and the efforts to sabotage hundred years’ Shariah, constitutional and legal achievements in the field of End of Prophethood.
Problems of MQM’s Altaf Hussain’s open support to Qadianis and imposition of still more Qadianis on key posts will be looked into.

The detailed story mentioned that:

1. The meeting had been called by a) Zahid ur Rashidi of Pakistan Shariah Council, b) Mulla Ilyas Chinioti, the Amir of International Khatme Nabuwwat Movement and, c) Abdul Latif Khalid Cheema of Majlis Ahrar Islam.
2. The invitees are:
   
   • Jamiat Ulama Islam (JUI)
   • Jamaat Islami (JI)
   • The banned Millat Islamia (former SSP)
   • Jamiat Ulama Pakistan (JUP)
   • Jamiat Ahle Hadith
   • Jamaat Al-Dawaa Pakistan (the banned Lashkar Taiba)
   • Khaksar Tehrik
   • Pakistan Shariat Council
   • International Khatme Nabuwwat Movement
   • Majlis Ahrar Islam
3. The proclaimed aim is to further promote the agenda of a joint effort of the religious parties and to re-organize the Khatme Nabuwwat movement on contemporary lines.

It should be noted that:

• Parties that are officially banned for their terrorist activities were also invited.
• All the invited groups favour the Taliban and the ongoing militancy.
• All the invited groups thrive on sectarian activities and do not shun violence.
• Majlis Ahrar Islam is the party that was anti-Pakistan prior to its Independence, and attempted great harm to the country in the 1953 agitation, as was concluded by the high level judicial commission in its “Report of the Court of Inquiry constituted under Punjab Act II of 1954 to enquire into the PUNJAB DISTURBANCES OF 1953.”
• Mulla Ilyas Chinioti, MPA joined the PML (N) after his recent election to the Punjab Assembly and claims close relations with PML (N) leadership.
  

This multi-party meeting has been called in these days when forces of terrorism and militancy pose a serious threat to be stability of the Pakistani state. The issue of the End of Prophethood is most likely a cover.

E-mail exhorting terrorism

Hyderabad: Qureshi Bros, a business-house owned by Ahmadis in Hyderabad received an unusual E-mail this month. It is in Urdu. Its English translation is provided below:

For general information

Qadianis, their businesses and their homes will all be blown to dust.
O Muslim, expel them from your trade centers so that you do not lose business.
Inform us of the Qadianis at the address given below, and thus participate in Jihad.
E mail: Kill-the-qadyanis-2008@ yahoo.com

The message apparently relates to commerce, and is aimed at getting rid of Ahmadi competition. Terrorism is seen to be the only answer they have on any issue.

Joint session adopts resolution

Islamabad; October 21, 2008: The Joint Session of the two houses of parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling for “an urgent review of the national security strategy and revisiting the methodology of combating terrorism in order to restore peace and stability….”

Some extracts of this important resolution should be placed on record of this Report so as to facilitate reference to it later. Excerpts:
“This in-camera joint session of parliament has noted with great concern that extremism, militancy and terrorism in all forms and manifestations pose a grave danger to the stability and integrity of the nation-state. It was recalled that in the past the dictatorial regimes pursued policies aimed at perpetuating their own power at the cost of the national interest.
…
“The challenge of militancy and extremism must be met through developing a consensus and dialogue with all genuine stakeholders.
“The nation stands united to combat this growing menace, with a strong public message condemning all forms and manifestations of terrorism, including the spread of sectarian hatred and violence with a firm resolve to combat it and to address its root causes.
“That the state shall maintain the rule of law….
“That the federation must be strengthened through the process of democratic pluralism, social justice, religious values and tolerance and equitable resource sharing between the provinces as enshrined in the Constitution of 1973.”

It is hoped that the government and the legislators will all remember their present findings and resolve, and will not be discriminative and selective about them. One is reminded that in the past few weeks two Ahmadi leaders were assassinated in Sindh and all the Ahmadi students of the medical college at Faisalabad were rusticated, but no political leader, except one brave soul residing in London, took a stand in public that these were great wrongs that had been committed. One hopes that the democratic leadership will not succumb to the temptation of pursuing “policies aimed at perpetrating their own power” like the past “dictatorial regimes”.

The government’s response this month in Azad Kashmir towards holding a conference by the sectarian extremists of the Khatme Nabuwwat faction deserves tribute.
Update on the Punjab Medical College Faisalabad case

Faisalabad: It should be recalled that the college administration rusticated all the Ahmadi students five months ago in June 2008. Subsequent to the protest from various quarters, the higher authorities took note and undertook a damage control exercise.

Subsequent to the various inquiries and investigations in the events of the PMC, the Health Department of the Government of the Punjab permitted 15 of the 23 Ahmadi students to continue their studies at the PMC. They are now attending the college and the female students are residing in the hostel. The government, with approval of the Chief Minister, has issued a notification for the rest of the 8 students, three male and five female, to be transferred to other colleges, as listed below:

1. Miss Sanaa Nasir 1st year F.J. Medical College Lahore
2. Miss Hina Munawwar Bajwa 2nd year Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore
3. Miss Shamama tul Anbar 2nd year Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore
4. Miss Robina Aslam 2nd year Services Institute Medical College Lahore
5. Miss Noshin Zafar 3rd year Services Institute Medical College Lahore
6. Mr. Mohammad Zeeshan 4th year Nishtar Medical College Multan
7. Syed Hasan Ahmad 3rd year Sh. Zaid Medical College Rahim Yar Khan
8. Syed Ehsan Ahmad 3rd year Quaid-i-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur

The first six students have joined their colleges. The last two at Serial 7 & 8 have sent an application to the Governor and the Chief Minister that the decision is discriminatory and they should also be transferred to Lahore as the situation in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan is tense.

It is relevant to mention that the police sent for all the Ahmadi students individually for investigation, and have concluded the inquiry; however the police case registered as FIR has not been quashed. Also, no case was registered against any of the non-Ahmadi students or teachers who precipitated the riot and the tumult in the first place.

'God moves in mysterious way
His wonders to perform'

Faisalabad; September 2008: Here is an inspiring story; worth telling and placing on record.

A man named Imtiaz Shah lived in Faisalabad for years. He appeared to be religious, but regrettably he was not a good man. He joined the Khatme Nabuwwat faction and became a rabid activist after the promulgation of the notorious anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX in 1984. He was always on the lookout to implicate Ahmadis in the mischief of this law, and succeeded greatly. He was instrumental in implicating no less than 150 Ahmadis in various police cases. He also made it a habit to shout insults at any Ahmadi he came across, even women. He would often turn violent if his victim protested. He was booked by the police in Hudood cases (sex-related). The authorities knew him to be an evil man; they expelled him once from the city for a few months.

He returned, more active than before. He committed an assault on an Ahmadi, Zaheer Ahmad and injured him grievously. His victim did not live long after the incident.

On November 14, 2002, Imtiaz Shah, accompanied by an associate Rafaqat, intercepted an Ahmadi, Mr. Abdul Waheed in the bazaar at about 1100. While Rafaqat held Waheed firmly, Imtiaz stabbed him with a dagger. When Abdul Waheed fell, the murderer announced to the people nearby that he had dispatched a Qadiani and told them not to help the victim. Waheed was thereafer taken to a hospital where he died. He is survived by his widow and three daughters aged 6, 4, and 2.

The next day Imtiaz Shah reported to the police station and proudly admitted to have performed a religious duty. the police arrested him and Rafaqat, and sent the case to an Anti-Terrorism Court. The judge sentenced Imtiaz Shah to death and Rafaqat to life imprisonment. Later, a sessions judge unjustly set Rafaqat free.

The grieved party and Imtiaz Shah both appealed to the High Court. The High Court surprisingly endorsed Rafaqat’s acquittal, and provided further relief to Imtiaz Shah by reducing his sentence to mere seven years in prison. This was unprecedented in legal history, under the circumstances of the case.

Ahmadis, thereafter, approached the Supreme Court that apex court set aside the High Court decision. The presiding judge of the Supreme Court refused to consider the complaint, and summarily and arrogantly announced his verdict to endorse the High Court decision (Guess who the Chief Justice was!). He dismissed the case within a few minutes.

In the second half of 2008, Imtiaz Shah was looking forward to his impending freedom. He sent threatening messages from the prison to Ahmadis that he would ‘take care’ of them on his release. Ahmadis felt disturbed at the prospects. In the situation that prevails in Pakistan, Ahmadis have turned to God and pray every day: “O Allah, we make Thee a shield against the opponents and seek Thy protection against their evil designs”. It seems God decided to intervene on behalf of these victims of violence.

In the recent weeks, Imtiaz Shah’s behavior became rather erratic in the prison, and he appeared disordered. On October 5, 2008 he had a heart attack. He was shifted to the Allied Hospital in Faisalabad where he died. Three days later, on October 8, Rafaqat, his helper in the murder of Mr. Abdul Waheed also had a cardiac arrest and failed to recover. Then only two days later, one of their principal influences, Bashir A Makon also had a heart attack and died on October 10, 2008. Thus, within only five days, these three public enemies of the Ahmadi community came to naught in Faisalabad.

‘God don’t come when you want Him but He’s right on time.’ (anon. jazz historian, in Tennessee William’s Memoirs)

Ahmadis behind bars

1. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal was imprisoned for life in a fabricated case of blasphemy. He was arrested in March 2004, and is now incarcerated in the Central Jail, Faisalabad. An appeal lies with the Lahore High Court against the decision of the Sessions Court. It is registered as Criminal Appeal No 89/2005. He is now in the fifth year of his imprisonment.
2. Three Ahmadis namely Messrs, Basharat, Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Idrees along with 7 others of Chak Sikandar were arrested in September 2003 on a false charge of murder of a cleric, alleged by opponents of the Jamaat. The police, after due investigation found no evidence against the accused. Yet these men still faced ‘complaint trial’ for a crime they did not commit. Based on the unreliable testimony of the two alleged eye-witnesses (who were proven false in the court) the court acquitted seven of the accused, but on the evidence of the same two liars the court sentenced these three innocent Ahmadis to death. They are being held in a death cell at a prison in Jehlum, while their appeal lies with the Lahore High Court. These innocent are now in the sixth year of their incarceration. Their appeal to the Lahore High Court is registered as Criminal Appeal No. 616/2005 dated 26 April 2005.
3. Dr. Muhammad Asghar was arrested on a fabricated charge of blasphemy. The judge rejected his plea for bail.
4. Rana Khalil Ahmad, an elderly and disabled gentleman, is detained for allegedly writing a letter to a cleric.
5. Another eight Ahmadis in Rabwah were arrested in the Ramadan calendars case after their temporary bails were cancelled by the judge.
   

From the press

Haripur’s renowned doctor Aslam suffered grievous injuries in a murderous attack.
I attacked him for being a Qadiani; the accused told the press.

The daily Mohasib, Abotabad; October 30, 2008

Two-day Khatme Nabuwwat conference will be held at Chenab Nagar on 30, 31 October.

The daily Jang, Lahore; October 20, 2008

Chenab Nagar: (Correspondent) Eight out of 16 traders’ bail was cancelled, and they were sent to prison under the Anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance.

The daily Jang, Lahore; October 20, 2008

Minorities have equal rights. — Raja (Riaz, Senior Minister in Punjab)

The daily News, Lahore; October 13, 2008

Mulla-led movements have always caused nothing but mischief (Fitna). — Prof Rafiq Akhtar

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 13, 2008

Break ties with US and formulate policies in accord with peoples’ wishes. — Khatme Nabuwwat Conference at Sargodha.

The daily Jang, Lahore; October 24, 2008

Qazi announces train march against US hits.

The daily Post, Lahore; October 05, 2008

The Third Crusade is underway. Muslims are under attack under Jewish plan. — Dr Israr Ahmad

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 19, 2008

600 Qadianis from Pakistan have enrolled in the Israeli Army. Qadianis collected huge donations for Indian Army in Kargil campaign. Jewish researcher

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 06, 2008

We shall continue to hold Khatme Nabuwwat conferences under the patronage of Pir Atiq ur Rahman (of Azad Kashmir). We shall go wherever required to crush Qadianiat. — Abdul Hamid Qadri

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 23, 2008

Chenab Nagar: Life paralyzed due (electric) load-shedding. Electric supply interrupted on fabricated excuse of repairs.

The daily Aman, Faisalabad; October 14, 2008

30 days prove insufficient to provide water to Chenab Nagar.

The daily Jang, Lahore; October 24, 2008

Punjab University administration takes over control of 4 rooms in Hostel No.1 that were occupied by the Jamiat (IJT) for four decades. The administration took this action through a committee, after recovery of fire-arms from hostels, Fax machine, computers, posters and other equipment from Room Nos. 139, 140, 141 and 142.
The action is illegal. Liaquat Baloch
IJT used these rooms for political purposes, to beat up students and to intimidate non-student elements. University administration
…
(Excerpt). Professor Dr Saeed Ahmad Nagra, the Chairman of the Hall Council told the daily Pakistan: The Jamiat occupied these rooms since long before and used them for political activities, to beat up and intimidate university students, and to provide accommodation to non-student personnel. One of the rooms was designated as a Rest House. He stated that the university had simply restored its writ and has done nothing illegal. “IJI has designated someone as ‘Nazim Jamiat’; he is not even a student at the university. We shall now make suitable alterations to these rooms and use them as store and residential spaces for security guards,” he said.

The daily Pakistan, Lahore; October 01, 2008

Fazl (ur Rahman) emerges as ‘Taliban spokesman’ in Parliament.

The Daily Times, Lahore; October 17, 2008

Suicidal attacks within Pakistan are prohibited by Shariah (Haram) and unlawful (Najaiz). — Undisputed edict of the Mutahidda Ulama Council

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; October 15, 2008

Mutahidda Ulama Council’s edict (fatwa) has no sanction; a committee will be formed of the recognized ulama. — Pakistan Ulama Council

The daily Jinnah, Lahore; October 15, 2008

False claimant to Prophecy arrested in Toba Tek Singh. Booked under the Blasphemy law.
The accused published his claim in a book. Distributors of the book also arrested.

The Daily Express, Faisalabad; October 20, 2008

Orakzai Agency: 113 dead in suicide attack

The daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Lahore; October 12, 2008

15 troops killed in Swat ambush

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 23, 2008

9 killed in suicide attack on Mardan DIG’s convoy

The Daily Times, Lahore; Nov 01, 2008

Bomber mows down 50 in attack in jirga (in Kuram Agency)

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 11, 2008

Suicide blast at PML-N MP’s house kills 25 (at Bhakkar)

The Daily Times, Lahore; October 07,2008

(Mulla) Fazlullah announces ‘conditional amnesty’ for pro-govt leaders
Taliban chief in Swat says those who renounce support for army won’t be killed.

The Daily Times, Lahore; October 09, 2008

Series of blasts panics Lahories. Seven injured as remote-controlled bombs target three juice shops in Garhi Shahu

The Daily Times, Lahore; October 08, 2008

The government should change its policies, otherwise NWFP will break away. — Fazlur Rahman

The Daily Express, Faisalabad; Nov 01, 2008

Op-eds

On Pakistan

It takes a big bomb to make a point in Pakistan these days.

The weekly Time, U.S.; October 06, 2008

Hobbling along

Our moth-eaten Pakistan will hobble along, led as it always has been since 1948 by men endowed with mediocrity or men endowed with moral depravation, until, God’s infinite grace, it rights itself and follows the path envisaged by its Founder-Maker, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The daily Dawn, Lahore; October 19, 2008