Fifteen Ahmadis charged in Pakistan under Anti-Ahmadiyya Legislation

---Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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 March 2009

PRESS RELEASE

FIFTEEN AHMADIS CHARGED IN PAKISTAN UNDER ANTI-AHMADIYYA LEGISLATION

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat confirms that a police case has been registered against fifteen Ahmadis at Sillanwali Police Station in District Sargodha, Pakistan. The Ahmadis are charged under Section 298C of the Pakistani Penal Code which is specifically an anti-Ahmadiyya piece of legislation. The accused Ahmadis are charged with having a place of worship, which they call a Mosque and use to offer Friday prayers and Eid prayers. Furthermore they are charged with ‘posing’ as Muslims because under the aforementioned Penal Code, Ahmadis are not allowed to class themselves as such.

Three persons, Mr Abdul Aziz, Mr Muhammad Ashraf and Mr Khizer Hayat have already been arrested and police raids are being conducted to in an attempt to arrest the remaining persons.

The background to this incident is that an Ahmadi in Sillanwali, Mr Khan Muhammad owns a few shops adjacent to the Ahmadiyya building, Baitul Zikr. A non-Ahmadi desired to hire these shops; however the owner refused this request, as was his absolute right. Thereafter the non-Ahmadi met with a local Mullah and together they conspired to fabricate a story in order to register a case against local Ahmadis. The complainant in this case is Maulvi Mushtaq.

It is of great regret that the discriminatory laws in place are a tool for religious extremists whose only wish is to deny Ahmadis the right to practice their religion peacefully and free from threats or violence.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is actively involved in dialogue in an attempt to secure the release of the three Ahmadis and to have the charges dropped, however thus far such attempts have failed. The three men arrested continue to be detained and yesterday a local Judge refused their application for bail.

End of Release
Further info: Abid Khan, press@ahmadiyya.org.uk / (44) 07795490682

Ahmadi Mosque attacked in Pakistan - Press Release

--- Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat International

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

16 February 2009

PRESS RELEASE

AHMADI MOSQUE ATTACKED IN PAKISTAN

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat condemns an attack that took place on 11 February 2009 at its Bait-ul-Zikr Mosque in Sialkot, Pakistan. The attack left one Ahmadi Muslim, Mr Bashir Ahmad Salohi injured.

At around 7pm last Wednesday an unknown person or persons threw a hand grenade into the courtyard of the mosque. Fortunately the attack did not occur at prayer times otherwise it could have caused much greater damage.

Police sealed the entrance to the mosque following the attack, however so far no person has been detained with regard the attack. The evidence available suggests that the grenade had been built locally.

Abid Khan, Press Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat continues to suffer in Pakistan. Ahmadis are unable to practise their religion peacefully and this is yet another example of local extremists attempting to intimidate members of the Jamaat.”

End of Release
Further info: Abid Khan, (44) 07795490682 / press@ahmadiyya.org.uk